MEDIA STATEMENT

Tuesday, 21^st December 2021: Hotel and guesthouse owners have welcomed the additional business and employment supports announced today by the Government, including the reintroduction of enhanced CRSS business payments and the extension of the EWSS employment supports to businesses that do not currently qualify.

President of the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), Elaina Fitzgerald Kane thanked the Government for their recognition of the severity of the challenges now facing our sector due to ongoing restrictions, saying the supports announced will be crucial for businesses throughout the country as they face into an uncertain 2022.

“These existential supports are vital for our members and will help to safeguard livelihoods during the tough months ahead. Tourism is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, accounting for one in ten of all jobs, 70% of which are outside of Dublin. These jobs matter – not only to the people working within the industry but to the wider economy, especially in many parts of regional Ireland where tourism is the only show in town. Normally December trade sustains the very challenging off-peak months at the start of the new year, but we have seen this wiped out.”

“Public health remains our number one priority, and we acknowledge the difficult balance that the Government has once again had to achieve. We look forward to working with them to clarify the detail in relation to these proposals. Our goal is to sustain livelihoods and ensure no one is left behind. Today’s announcement is an important step towards this in the short-term.”