AQW 29369/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 07/02/2022
Answered On Date: 16/02/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance whether he intends to review the businesses which are able to avail of the Omicron Hospitality Payment.

Answer:

While my Department stepped up to deliver the Omicron Hospitality Payment (OHP) scheme on behalf of the whole Executive, my Department does not have the expertise or market intelligence to determine which businesses sectors are in need of support. In determining the sectoral coverage of the OHP scheme, the Executive relied on the advice of the Minister for the Economy, who is the Minister responsible for business support. The Minister for the Economy has not indicated that he intends to advise on any further business sectors which should be able to avail of the OHP.