To ask the Minister for the Economy when she will launch financial support schemes for (i) the large hospitality and tourist accommodation sectors; and (ii) bed and breakfasts that pay domestic rates.

On 21st January 2021, I announced details of a new £26.1m support scheme for larger hospitality and tourism businesses, as well as a £4.1m scheme to support Bed and Breakfast, Guest House and other Guest Accommodation. This is in recognition of the severe impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the local tourism industry.

The Large Tourism and Hospitality Business Support Scheme will provide support to large businesses in these sectors, with a Net Added Value (NAV) of£51,000 and above, and which have been significantly impacted by the Health Protection Regulations put in place by the Executive. The scheme will provide additional financial support to help these businesses meet fixed costs and overheads associated with the survival of their businesses and the protection of jobs.

The Department will contact eligible businesses to provide an application form (with a unique application number). Once the application form has been fully completed and returned with the required supporting evidence, it will be assessed and a grant payment will issue in March 2021.

The Bed and Breakfast Support Scheme will be administered by Tourism NI, and will provide grant to support eligible businesses on a flat ‘per room’ amount plus a percentage of 2019’s turnover. It opens for applications on Thursday 28th January 2021.