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Factsheet for measure IE-2021-7/1791 – measures in Ireland

€55 million scheme to support tourism businesses

Country Ireland , applies nationwide
Time period Temporary, 11 February 2021 – 08 March 2021
Context COVID-19
Type Other initiatives or policies
Category Supporting businesses to stay afloat
– Direct subsidies (full or partial) or damage compensation
Author Roisin Farelly (IRN Publishing) and Eurofound
Measure added 16 March 2021 (updated 10 May 2021)

Background information

The Tourism Business Continuity Scheme was launched in February 2021 to provide support to providers of certain tourism services who did not qualify for assistance under the government's COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). It is designed to help these tourism businesses continue to operate through 2021 by contributing towards their fixed costs.

Content of measure

The following Business types are being targeted under this scheme:

  • Outdoor Tourism Activity Providers
  • Tourism Golf Courses
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Tourism Bus Tour Operators
  • Cruise Hire Companies
  • Tourism Boat Tour Operators
  • Visitor Attractions
  • Caravan and Camping and Outdoor Accommodation Providers

To qualify, the following must apply:

  • As a result of COVID-19, a business's average monthly turnover in the 4-month period October 2020 – January 2021 must be down at least 75% compared to the average monthly turnover for the period January to December 2019
  • The business must have a minimum annual turnover of €50,000 
  • The business must not be eligible to apply for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS)

The grant amount is based on the annual eligible turnover from 2019 and the minimum amount is €3,750 and maximum grant amount is €200,000.

Use of measure

No information to date.

Target groups

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

Actors and funding

Actors Funding
National government
National funds

Social partners

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

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

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

  • No involvement
  • Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

N/A

Views and reactions

N/A

Sectors and occupations

    • Economic area Sector (NACE level 2)
      I - Accommodation And Food Service Activities I55 Accommodation
      R - Arts, Entertainment And Recreation R90 Creative, arts and entertainment activities
      R93 Sports activities and amusement and recreation activities
      S - Other Service Activities S96 Other personal service activities

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

  • 01 February 2021: New €55m fund to aid tourism businesses hit by pandemic (www.rte.ie)
  • 11 February 2021: Tourism Business Continuity Scheme (www.failteireland.ie)
  • 11 February 2021: €55m Tourism Business Continuity Scheme is now open for applications (www.gov.ie)

Citation

Eurofound (2021), €55 million scheme to support tourism businesses, measure IE-2021-7/1791 (measures in Ireland), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/IE-2021-7_1791.html

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