Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department maintains figures in relation to the number of café and restaurant closures in 2022 in County Clare and on the overall figure nationally; his views in relation to same, given measures such as the proposed latte levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63477/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department does not hold data relating to business closures and I have been advised by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment that the information requested is not available. Some information is reported by the CSO Business Signs of Life Series which tracked the survival of businesses through Covid-19. The foodservice industry specifically is the subject of a Bord Bia report (Irish Foodservice Market and Consumer Insights 2022) which states that the foodservice industry is on the rebound and the value of the industry has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels. I have taken great care to consider potential impacts on industry when introducing environmental reform including levies proposed on single use products.

In October 2022, my Department published draft Regulations for an environmental levy on single use disposable cups for hot drinks. The purpose of the ‘latte levy’ is to incentivise people to choose to re-use and reduce single use waste.

A public consultation has now been completed on the draft regulations. In particular, the consultation targeted businesses and traders who will be impacted by the levy. A summary consultation report was published on the Department's website in December and a full consultation report is now being prepared for publication. In total, the Department received 2,371 responses which will be considered before I sign the regulations.

An SME Test is also underway to assess the impact, both positive and negative, of the regulations on micro, small and medium businesses and, where possible, to identify mitigating measures aimed at minimising any potential impacts. The SME Test is being informed by responses to the public consultation and will be published on the Department’s website once complete.