Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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212. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has been in contact with tourism groups regarding the extension of the emergency wage subsidy scheme for significantly affected sectors. [34166/21]

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.

Since public health restrictions were introduced last year, the Government has supported businesses 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.

Taking into account the new and revised horizontal supports set out in the Economic Recovery Plan, 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 and hospitality sector is supported in their recovery as we reopen our society and our economy. The Tourism Recovery Oversight Group, which I appointed last December to oversee the implementation of the Recovery Plan and monitor the recovery of the sector, will also continue to be a key input into my thinking with regard to further support for the tourism sector, and I continue to engage directly with tourism stakeholders as we reopen the economy.