Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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90. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the outdoor enhancement scheme will be extended to gyms and health centres given the positive impact the outdoor dining enhancement scheme has had in supporting businesses in the hospitality sector to moving more outdoors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29220/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The development and administration of the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, in partnership with the Local Authorities.  Although I am not aware of any plans to extend or otherwise amend the existing scheme, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to respond directly to the Deputy to confirm whether or not gyms or health centres with a public food and beverage service offering could be eligible to apply for support under the existing scheme.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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91. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of strategies to assist the hospitality industry to retain and regain qualified staff in their sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33299/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The reopening of the country and the economy has been happening gradually over June and I look forward to further reopening in July and beyond.  Tourism accommodation and outdoor dining have reopened and subject to satisfactory progress with the health situation, more indoor activities will reopen in July.

The Government has supported businesses, including the tourism hospitality sector, through the closure, in particular with initiatives such as the CRSS, EWSS and the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Business Continuity Scheme (TBCS) and is now assisting them in their reopening.  While CRSS and the TBCS have addressed fixed costs, the EWSS has been crucial in maintaining employment and the link between employer and employee.  Its continuation was one of the key asks of the sector and the Government has committed to its maintenance until end-2021 in the Economic Recovery Plan.  I know that the reopening is very welcome but I also know that it brings a number of challenges, particularly in reconnecting with employees.

Prior to the pandemic, tourism and hospitality accounted for approximately 260,000 jobs and Fáilte Ireland was very active in the issue of skills development in the sector.  The Tourism Recovery Taskforce made a number of recommendations to enhance sustainable employment in the tourism sector to support both its survival and recovery.  This includes the development of a National Tourism Education Gateway as a one stop shop to education for all tourism employees. My Department is working closely with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to progress these recommendations.

In addition, Fáilte Ireland chairs and co-ordinates the work of the Tourism & Hospitality Careers Oversight Group which includes members from across the tourism industry and is currently implementing an agreed Plan of Action with stakeholders.  Fáilte Ireland is also delivering a number of strategies and working closely with industry, education providers, and other State agencies to address the recruitment and retention challenges in the tourism sector, such as a recent recruitment webinar event and an ongoing social media campaign targeting job-seekers.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Government’s recently announced Economic Recovery Plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular sectors most impacted, such as tourism.  Under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government 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.

- 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, including B&Bs, guesthouses and the wider tourism accommodation sector, 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, Fáilte Ireland administered the €8m Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs, which ran in the final quarter of 2020.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.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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93. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to remove the minimum business costs criteria from the music and entertainment business assistance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33293/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Parliamentary Question No 63. 

As part of a €50 million suite of supports for the live entertainment sector, the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) opened for applications on 9^thJune. This scheme aims to support businesses operating solely in the live entertainment sector that do not qualify for other business supports and have been significantly impacted by Covid restrictions. This scheme will see support offered by way of three levels of once-off, flat payments:

- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €50,000 with minimum business costs of €3,000 incurred from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.

- €4,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €50,001- €100,000 with minimum business costs of €6,000 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.

- €5,000 for businesses with VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000 with minimum business costs of €7,500 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.

Businesses whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities operating exclusively within the live entertainment sector may apply. Businesses of musicians and singers of all genres are eligible to apply, as are sound engineers, lighting engineers, audio engineers, stage managers, stage technicians, sound and lighting equipment suppliers, live-streaming equipment suppliers and full-time Disk Jockeys.

It should be noted that this scheme is not a horizontal income support and grants are intended to provide a contribution towards businesses costs. The scheme was developed in consultation with the sector and the eligibility criteria aims to strike an appropriate balance having regard to other available supports and the need to reach as many professional musicians and crew as possible.

To date, just over 300 applications have been submitted for this scheme. Of these applications, approximately 50 application have approved to date and 3 applications have been unsuccessful.

All details in relation to this scheme, including guidelines and the MEBAS application portal can be accessed on my Department’s website.