Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of international protection applicants, continues to put pressure on the Government's ability to offer humanitarian accommodation and has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history.

The tourism sector continues to play a significant role in supporting this effort. Contracting of tourism accommodation for Ukrainian refugees has inevitably impacted on downstream tourism businesses.

As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media my remit relates to the tourism sector and businesses operating therein, primarily providers of tourism activities, attractions and accommodation. While elements of the hospitality sector are important parts of the wider tourism ecosystem, the food services sector itself is at its core an enterprise sector.

As part of the Budget settlement that I have secured for tourism in 2024, up to €10 million has been identified for a comprehensive programme of supports targeted at downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular trading challenges linked to the reduction in footfall to activities and attractions in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement.

I have asked Fáilte Ireland to consider the scope for a specific business support scheme that could help the most affected tourism activities and attractions and I expect to receive a report with options and recommendations from the Authority shortly.

The wider programme of support will also include investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives.

As part of Budget 2024, the Increased Costs of Business Scheme was introduced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to assist small and medium sized businesses with the increases in a range of business costs. This scheme is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and provides for a once-off grant to benefit up to 130,000 small and medium rate-paying businesses and €250 million has been allocated towards this scheme. I would expect that this should be of significant help to cafés and restaurants.