Shortall Welcomes the Extension of Employment Subsidy to Tourist Operators.
Issued : Tuesday 22 December, 2009
SHORTALL WELCOMES EXTENSION OF EMPLOYMENT SUBSIDY SCHEME TO TOURIST OPERATORS !
North Kilkenny Cllr. Maurice Shortall (Lab) has welcomed the decision by Tánaiste and Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to extend the employment subsidy scheme to the Tourism sector. “There have been 600,000 fewer foreign visitors to these shores in the first 8 months of this year. Tourism is absolutely vital to the Irish economy. It accounts for €1.5 billion of tax revenues and employs over 120,000 people, many of these in rural areas where there is very little other employment.
It is these 120,000 jobs that we need to protect. Any help that struggling tourist operators can get is most welcome.
This first small step by the Government to open up the employment subsidy scheme to tourist operators is very welcome.
Low Interest. Given the low level of interest in the Employment Subsidy, The Minister has decided to have a Second broader Call for applications with extended eligibility criteria open to both exporting and non-exporting firms, including those from the tourism sector.
The Second Call will be open to many companies that were not eligible to apply for the First Call. Enterprise Ireland who will again manage the Scheme, will shortly advertise details of the Second Call.” Said Cllr. Shortall.
Cllr 
