Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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138. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the further supports being developed to enable the hospitality sector to function effectively while the pandemic persists; if he will consider supports for the implementation of an affordable ventilation scheme for this and other high-risk environments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58322/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The hospitality sector falls within the remit of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The funding for Tourism in Budget 2022 amounting to €288.5m represents an increase of €67.6m over the 2021 allocation. This includes €50m funding for further Tourism Business Continuity Supports to assist strategic tourism businesses with their survival and recovery. This funding will assist vulnerable tourism businesses to survive until summer 2022 when it is expected that inbound tourism will recover. Fáilte Ireland is finalising its detailed plans for 2022 which will include the allocation of Tourism Business Continuity Funding.

The 2022 funding is in addition to the €55m in Tourism Business Continuity supports which were made available in 2021. Five phases of this Scheme have been launched since the beginning of 2021. Phases 4 and 5 closed for applications on 24 September 2021. By the end of 2021 hundreds of tourism businesses will have received vital funding to help them survive the impacts of the pandemic. Hundreds more will again receive support in 2022.

In addition to the €50m for the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, the budget measures include a €35m increase in the Tourism Marketing Fund in 2022 to enable Tourism Ireland to support the delivery of a marketing strategy to help restore inbound tourism to Ireland. Funding is also being provided for a range of initiatives including domestic marketing and festivals, supporting the digitalisation of tourism businesses as well as skills development and staff retention. €36.5m is also being provided in capital funding for tourism product development for the delivery of enhanced visitor experiences in line with the objectives of the National Development Plan 2021-2030.

The supports for Tourism also include a range of cross-Government measures which will assist the sector in its recovery and growth. Tourism enterprises continue to benefit from measures such as the continuation of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to April 2022, tax warehousing and a commercial rates waiver while the 9% VAT rate for hospitality remains in place until September 2022.

The Expert Group on Ventilation, under the Department of Health, has completed its initial programme of work and, to allow for greater integration and collaboration with relevant government departments and stakeholders on the further development of sector specific ventilation guidance, the group now works with the Senior Officials Group to further inform sectoral guidance and public information regarding ventilation. Specific supports for ventilation have not been set up but as you are aware, the Government has put in place a comprehensive package to help businesses and workers during the pandemic, including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities and the waiver of commercial rates.

The Government has worked to ensure that there is a range of assistance in place for COVID-19-impacted businesses including the COVID-19 Working Capital Scheme, the Brexit Loan Scheme, the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme and the Future Growth Loan Scheme. For further information, businesses are advised to view my Department’s website at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/Government-supports-to-COVID-19-impacted-businesses.html.

It is important to note that all businesses supports are being kept under review to ensure that they are timely and target those that need them the most.