To ask the Minister for the Economy how she will ensure that all businesses eligible for the Bed and Breakfast, Guest House and Guest Accommodation Scheme are informed of this available support.

The Bed and Breakfast, Guest House and Guest Accommodation Scheme sought to support tourist accommodation establishments in these certification categories which were required to close between March 2020 and the start of July 2020, with many unable to access grant support. In addition, when re-opened, many of these establishments experienced significantly reduced levels of demand (and the opportunity to generate much needed revenue) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are eight categories of tourism accommodation under the Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992. The scheme was developed to deliver support to three of those categories; Bed and Breakfast, Guesthouses and Guest Accommodation. With a subsequent extension to Hostels and Bunk Houses.

Applicants were required to be in compliance with The Tourism (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, and to hold a current certificate from Tourism NI under one of the following eligible scheme categories:

Bed and Breakfast

Guest House

Guest Accommodation

Hostel

Bunk house

The Bed and Breakfast, Guest House and Guest Accommodation Scheme, opened for applications on 28th January 2021 and closed on 11th February 2021. The Hostels and Bunk Houses extension opened for applications on 23rd February 2021 and closed on 9th March 2021.

In each case, the scheme was supported through published guidelines and communications issued via Tourism NI digital channels. In addition, due to the legal requirement for business in these categories to be certified by Tourism NI, targeted email and telephone communications were issued to listed business owners.

A total of 442 businesses were supported under the programme with 415 under the first iteration of the scheme and 27 under the subsequent extension. This equated to a total package of £1.8m issued in grant payments.