AQW 27871/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 12/01/2022
Answered On Date: 31/01/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy what his Department is doing to support hospitality businesses not currently eligible for the Omicron Hospitality Payment.

Answer:

Whilst the Omicron Hospitality Payment scheme agreed by the Executive before Christmas was warmly welcomed, there was huge disappointment and frustration that hotels were excluded.

I always maintained that hotels should have been included as they faced the same challenges as those businesses which were eligible for support. I wrote to the Finance Minister on two occasions urging him to extend the scheme to the hotel sector.

I am delighted that the Executive has now agreed to extend the scheme to the hotel sector thereby providing much needed support to this vital industry.

This payment will be between £10,000 and £20,000 dependent on the rateable value of the property.