Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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529. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to ensure Fáilte Ireland is supporting the private coach tourism industry with financial packages and stimuli considering this is an essential component of the Irish tourism industry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31450/21]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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530. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on whether Fáilte Ireland is doing enough to support the private coach tourism industry considering the challenges facing this vital component of the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31451/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 529 and 530 together.

The Government’s recently announced Economic Recovery Plan plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and pays particular attention to sectors most impacted, such as tourism. Under the Economic Recovery PlanGovernment extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including the tourism sector.

- Extending the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Revisions will see payments for businesses reopening of up to €30,000;

- Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December;

- Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021;

- Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises; and

- The ERP sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.

In addition to benefiting from revised and extended horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan also provides for an extension of the 9% VAT rate to September 2022, which will continue to act as a stimulus for the tourism sector as it moves towards recovery.

These measures and supports will provide tourism businesses with much-needed clarity that will enable them to plan longer-term with confidence and accept bookings. The ERP also commits to continuing to provide business continuity schemes through Fáilte Ireland.

As the Deputy is aware, I secured €10m for a Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, which ran in the final quarter of 2020, as well as allocations for other tourism sectoral supports. Taking into account the new and revised horizontal supports set out in the ERP, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to examine what supports will be needed for the tourism sector in the coming months. I will discuss these proposed supports with colleagues across Government to ensure that the tourism sector is supported in their recovery as we reopen our society and our economy.