Ibec send letter to Government
The Government has been called on to continue to deploy financial supports to those companies operating in the experience economy.
Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, has written to An Taoiseach detailing the urgent measures needed to sustain struggling sector following last week’s Covid-19 restrictions announcement.
In a letter shared to Government on Monday afternoon, Ibec stated that feedback from its members highlight that the public are heeding the public health messaging from Government and are adjusting behaviour accordingly, including reducing social contacts.
Ibec CEO Danny McCoy stated: “The impact of the latest restrictions will be particularly damaging for these firms as we enter the crucial Christmas period during which such a high share of annual revenue is earned in the experience economy.
“We know from the previous Covid waves, the measures that will work to help sustain this vital part of the economy. Business continues to acknowledge the successful nature of the supports provided for business and employees by Government over the course of this crisis and we urge Government to continue to ensure that these measures are fully deployed over the coming period.”
Ibec is specifically calling for:
• The €4 billion contingency fund identified in Budget 2022 is allocated as soon as necessary to provide continuity in fiscal support for businesses which remain impacted by Covid-19 • An extension of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme beyond April 2022 as this remains the single most effective fiscal support measure for businesses and maintenance of the payment level at the rates which applied in the previous Covid waves • Targeted extension of the commercial rates waiver for businesses impacted by Covid restrictions into 2022 • Revenue continues to take a reasonable position on debt warehousing and extends timelines to reflect any extension of restrictions – so Period 1 end date moves from 31 December 2021 to 30 April, 2022, and pro-rata on Period 2 and 3 • Extension of the Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) for those businesses again impacted by the latest public health restrictions • Delivering ongoing low cost and long maturity State backed loan schemes to ensure that firms seeking to recover post Covid-19 are not hindered by significant and unsustainable debt burdens.
The experience economy encompasses hospitality, retail, travel, food, drink, tourism, entertainment, technology, events and organisations in the arts, cultural, sporting and heritage sectors.
Ibec said the experience economy reaches deep into the supply chain supporting business and employment encompassing many of hard to reach but critical elements of the economy and society: young people, small medium enterprises, regional and rural development, with real, tangible benefits for the shared island.