Irish Hotels Federation

Lobbying Organisation Irish Hotels Federation

Date published 21 Jan, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Tourism

Period 1 Sep, 2023 to 31 Dec, 2023

Specific Details Seeking Government measures to support recovery and growth of Ireland's tourism and hospitality industry

Intended results Continued investment and support for tourism development and for marketing both domestically and overseas. Additional funding for hospitality recruitment and career awareness, and targeted resources for training and skills development. Restoration of the 9% VAT rate for tourism and hospitality to support cost competitiveness in line with Ireland's European competitors. Targeted funding for a national hospitality/hotel retrofitting scheme to reduce carbon footprint throughout the sector in line with the Government’s climate action goals. Revision of Government energy supports and simplification of he application processes, keep support structures in place to enable rapid response to any further price shocks in the energy market. Measures to address challenges in relation to the severe shortage of residential accommodation, which is having a detrimental impact on the ability of employees within our sector to secure suitable accommodation. Introduce a restricted accelerated capital allowances scheme targeting hotels with capacity to develop accommodation for employees on existing hotel land and sites. Measures to address challenges in relation to the severe shortage of residential accommodation, including the introduction of a restricted accelerated capital allowances scheme targeting hotels with capacity to develop accommodation specifically for employees on existing hotel land and sites. Further measures i) to ensure that insurers pass on the benefits of the insurance-related legislative reforms to businesses, and ii) to promote greater competition within the insurance market. That the increase in tourism VAT to 13.5% be kept under review A fundamental restructuring of employers PRSI for hospitality and tourism businesses given the growing level of business costs for these labour-intensive sectors.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Fenn (Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation)

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All TDs In response to Budget 2024, seeking i) a fundamental restructuring of employers PRSI for hospitality and tourism businesses given the growing level of business costs for these labour-intensive sectors, and ii) that the increased tourism VAT rate be kept under review.

Email All Senators In response to Budget 2024, seeking i) a fundamental restructuring of employers PRSI for hospitality and tourism businesses given the growing level of business costs for these labour-intensive sectors, and ii) that the increased tourism VAT rate be kept under review.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (6-10)

Seeking key measures to provide the best possible conditions for recovery and growth of Irish tourism and hospitality

Letter (1)

Seeking i) further measures to ensure that insurers pass on the benefits of the insurance-related legislative reforms to businesses, and ii) to promote greater competition within the insurance market.

Letter (1)

In relation to work permits system, seeking that the Dept of Enterprise i) include Executive Chefs on the Critical Skills Occupations List and remove ii) Hotel Spa Manager from the Ineligible Occupations List

Letter (1)

Seeking a restructuring of employers PRSI with a targeted rebate on employers' PRSI over a 36 month period for labour intensive hospitality and tourism sectors.

Meeting (1)

Seeking promotion of a fair digital landscape for online hotel bookings and reviews, investment in sustainability and smart growth and measures to address skills shortages

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Finance)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Simon Coveney Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Catherine Martin Minister (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Neale Richmond Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister of State (Department of Finance)

John Cummins Senator (Seanad)

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)