Only €200,000 of a €2m Fáilte Ireland grant intended to assist tourism businesses affected by bed shortages was paid out, with the rest reallocated to the authority’s own campaigns due to few businesses meeting the grant criteria.
The Business Support Grant for Activities and Attractions aimed to help businesses in areas with high accommodation usage for Ukrainian refugees, with strict eligibility requirements including a 30pc drop in turnover in 2023 compared to 2019.
The grant fund was part of a larger €10m programme supporting areas impacted by tourism bed-stock displacement, with the majority allocated to Fáilte Ireland marketing campaigns, digitalization, and careers in tourism in these regions.
Businesses expressed disappointment over the limited number approved for the grant, citing strict rules, missed criteria by some deserving applicants, and exclusion of hospitality sector businesses which had to seek alternative funding avenues.
