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Factsheet for measure IE-2021-16/1852 – measures in Ireland

New Outdoor Dining Funding Scheme Launched

Country Ireland , applies nationwide
Time period Temporary, 12 April 2021 – 30 September 2021
Context COVID-19
Type Other initiatives or policies
Category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Measures to support a gradual relaunch of work
Author Roisin Farelly (IRN Publishing) and Eurofound
Measure added 12 April 2021 (updated 10 May 2021)

Background information

A new €70 million scheme 'Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme' was launched in March 2021 to assist tourism and hospitality businesses to develop and increase their outdoor seating capacity.

Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin: "This Scheme has two main objectives: firstly, to enable individual tourism and hospitality businesses increase their dining and seating capacity in the short-term and secondly to enable a long-term strategy for local authorities to develop appropriate permanent weatherproofed outdoor dining infrastructure. The aim is to support jobs and businesses and to transform appropriate outdoor spaces within our cities and towns as welcoming, vibrant places that will help support economic recovery."

Content of measure

The Scheme has two parts as follows:

Part One of the Scheme is open to individual tourism and hospitality businesses where food is sold for consumption on the premises including hotels, attractions, cafes, restaurants and pubs. Applicants can apply for a grant of up to €4,000 to cover costs for outdoor tables, chairs, umbrellas, electric heaters, screens/windbreaks, plant stands and wooden platforms.

Part Two will enable Local Authorities to develop permanent outdoor public dining spaces in towns and urban centres, similar to those that exist in various European cities. Each Local Authority can apply for €200,000 for up to 2 locations.

Use of measure

No information.

Target groups

Workers Businesses Citizens
Does not apply to workers Sector specific set of companies
Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
Local / regional government
National funds
Regional funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

Trade unions Employers' organisations
Role No involvement Informed
Form Not applicable Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

  • No involvement
  • Main level of involvement: Unknown

Involvement

No involvement.

Views and reactions

No information.

Sectors and occupations

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      I - Accommodation And Food Service Activities I55 Accommodation
      I56 Food and beverage service activities
      R - Arts, Entertainment And Recreation R91 Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities
      R93 Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

  • 31 March 2021: €17m funding for outdoor dining announced (www.rte.ie)
  • 31 March 2021: Minister Martin and Fáilte Ireland announce new Outdoor Dining Scheme in partnership with Local Authorities (merrionstreet.ie)

Citation

Eurofound (2021), New Outdoor Dining Funding Scheme Launched, measure IE-2021-16/1852 (measures in Ireland), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/IE-2021-16_1852.html

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Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.