€55m boost for Irish tourism sector

Failte Ireland, the country’s national tourism authority, will develop and administer the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, funding for which was secured in the country’s 2021 Budget.

It will support tourism businesses that were ineligible for the country’s Covid Restrictions Support Scheme and previous Failte Ireland continuity grant schemes.

The first phase of the scheme will get under way on 11 February, Failte Ireland chief executive Paul Kelly confirmed on Monday (1 February), coming after what he described as "the most challenging year tourism has ever faced".

According to Kelly, revenue throughout the sector is down by around £6 billion, with tens of thousands of jobs lost.
A second phase will begin in March 2021.

Businesses in line for grants ranging from €3,750 to €200,000 include outdoor activity providers, such as bike, kayak and walking tour companies or surf schools, golf courses with tourism offerings, tourist boat operators, hop-on hop-off bus operators, various visitor attractions, caravan and camping providers and cruise hire companies.

To qualify, businesses’ monthly turnover from October 2020 to January 2021 must be less than 25% of their average monthly turnover in 2019, and they must have a minimum annual turnover of €50,000 and minimum fixed costs amounting to at least 10% of turnover.