Denis Naughten TD has expressed disappointment that the Government’s new Stay & Spend Scheme has ignored older people who do not have a tax liability and inland counties with limited numbers of Failte Ireland approved accommodation. “While the principle behind the new scheme is welcome, a tax credit scheme is of no benefit to many older people who would traditionally have holidayed at home in the off-season,” stated Denis Naughten.
“Furthermore, this scheme discriminates against inland counties with small numbers of Failte Ireland approved accommodation providers.”
He pointed out there are 155 premises registered with Failte Ireland that provide bed & breakfast accommodation in County Kerry while there are just 15 in Westmeath, 10 in Roscommon, nine in Offaly, three in Longford and five in Laois.“The reality is that people will be attracted away from the counties which are a short journey from Dublin, which undermines the Government strategy of supporting the development of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, a part of the country that has already suffered as a result of the just transition and Bord na Mona job losses,” added Denis Naughten.
“A scheme that allows a family on holidays to claim tax relief on a burger and chips but not on Airbnb or self-catering accommodation in a rural area because it is not registered with Failte Ireland, I believe is a flawed scheme and needs to be revisited.”
