Business Editor
The Government says it has no plans to amend the criteria for the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) despite growing complaints from business groups that firms that need it are being excluded.
An increasing number of firms are being told that they do not qualify for the scheme, even though they are closed or have seen their turnover collapse due to Government imposed Covid-19 restrictions.
The CRSS was introduced in last October s budget.
It offers weekly payments of up to a maximum of €5,000 to businesses whose premises have either been forced to close or whose turnover has fallen by at least 75% compared to 2019 levels, due to restrictions.
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Tourism groups say they re hoping more international travel can resume in the summer after a catastrophic 2020.
They say it s time to start planning now so the sector doesn t lose a second summer in a row.
Travel agents aren t expecting an immediate recovery, but
have saidthey re hopeful significant numbers of people will be able to travel by mid-summer.
British airline EasyJet, meanwhile, says bookings for this summer are up 250% on last year.
It comes continued uncertainty over the exact timelines for COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as
calls by some experts for existing travel restrictions to be tightened until the pandemic is under control.
The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation has outlined nine key policies which it says are needed to safeguard the industry as it continues to deal with the harsh impact of the Covid-19 restrictions.
Tourism wants clarity over recovery strategy
Irish Tourism Industry Confederation said the Government must clarify its vaccine rollout and a usable travel testing regime
Airlines are being tipped for recovery this year, but tourism chiefs remain nervous about prospects of an upturn.
Tue, 19 Jan, 2021 - 18:50
Geoff Percival
Tourism bosses have warned immediate clarity over Ireland’s roadmap out of the Covid crisis is needed in order to save the industry.
The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) said the Government must clarify its vaccine rollout and a usable travel testing regime.
ITIC has written off in-bound tourism for the first half of the year, but is hopeful of some recovery in the second half.
Conde Nast Traveller has ranked Ireland one of "the best countries to visit", while Italy, Sri Lanka and Croatia top the poll. Voted by the public the Condé Nast Traveller in The Readers' Choice Awards 2020 has ranked Ireland the 11th top destinations to visit in the world.