Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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119. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans and the measures that will be put in place to assist the recovery of the tourism and aviation sectors, for example, such as The Gathering after the last recession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21827/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I am committed to ensuring the continued support for the tourism sector through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery and have regular engagement with the sector on these issues.  Together with horizontal measures introduced by Government, such as the EWSS and the CRSS, the sector-specific measures I have introduced have been key in helping tourism businesses to survive and employees to remain engaged in the sector. Government has made it clear that there will be no 'cliff-edge' end to supports.

As part of the National Economic Recovery Plan, we will be outlining how we will help people return to work and further support sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.  Government will consider more targeted measures to help reboot those sectors, such as tourism, which will face particular challenges during the recovery phase when the economy reopens.

The Recovery Plan submitted to me by the Tourism Recovery Taskforce last year will continue to be an important consideration for me as I evaluate additional measures to support the recovery of the sector. The Recovery Oversight Group will keep me apprised of progress with regard to implementation of the Recovery Plan and the recovery of the sector more generally.

In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Recovery Plan includes a recommendation to develop a Global Invitation Programme to stimulate additional international demand. Whilst the tourism sector is still navigating the survival stage of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also important to ensure that we plan for recovery. Officials within the Department, along with the tourism agencies, are currently examining what type of project would best support the recovery as well as an appropriate timeframe for such an initiative.

With regard to aviation, I should clarify that while the sector is of critical importance in terms of the recovery of our tourism sector, the responsibility for Aviation and recovery in that area falls to my colleague, the Minister for Transport.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she is taking to support the coach tourism sector as a result of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21969/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I am aware of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the coach tourism sector and was pleased to make a fund of €10m available for the Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme. The scheme has helped coach tourism businesses to withstand the impact of COVID-19 by providing a direct financial contribution to support their business continuity plans and position them to continue operating through 2021.

I am committed to continuing support for tourism through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery.  As part of the National Economic Recovery Plan, Government will be outlining how it will help people return to work and further support sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.  Along with my colleagues in Government, we will consider more targeted measures to help reboot those sectors, such as tourism, which will face particular challenges during the recovery phase when the economy reopens.