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THE GOVERNMENT’S STAY and Spend Scheme is here to stay, according to the Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath.
During yesterday’s Budget announcement, there was no mention of any tweaks to the scheme despite criticisms in recent days that it has become redundant after the entire country moved to Level 3 restrictions, which advises people to stay in their own county.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie yesterday, McGrath said the scheme will “stay as is for now”, stating that it is “a very new scheme”.
“We didn’t anticipate when it was announced that it would coincide with the imposition of public heath restrictions,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be the right time to change it,” said McGrath.
The scheme is aimed at supporting the hospitality industry which has been so negatively affected by Covid-19.
The Stay and Spend scheme allows taxpayers claim a maximum of €125 back in tax credits on their spending in the hospitality sector from today until 30 April 2021.
To qualify for the maximum amount, a person must spend up to €625 (or €1,250 for married couples or civil partners) in restaurants, pubs, hotels, B&Bs and other qualifying businesses.
People can claim the relief on the cost of accommodation and food, including soft drinks, but not including alcohol. But they must also have an income tax or USC liability against which the tax credit can be set.
Sinn Féin’s alternative budget calls for vouchers to be given to families worth €200 and €100 per child as an alternative to the Stay and Spend Scheme.
However, McGrath said: “We need to let the scheme breathe for when more normal times return.”
“It will be kept under review,” he said, but added there are no plans to change it.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the new Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) which provides support for businesses that have had to close as a result of Covid-19 restrictions at Level 3 or higher, would be extended beyond the current March date.
He said restaurants can access that scheme, adding that a voucher is no good to a restaurant if it can’t reopen.
Donohoe said the scheme will be retained, and it another support that will coincide with the 9% VAT reduction annouced yesterday.
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That’s so sad. Fair play to the volunteers.
Misuse of alcohol is a scourge. Misuse of alcohol in a closed environment causes awful domestic tensions.
The long term traumatic impact on children is greatly underestimated and under appreciated.
It is indeed underestimated. . It never leaves you .. from childhood right up to adulthood. It stays with you forever and I wish parents were more aware of that. Never stay for the kids sake .. the kids are better off away from the situation .. no child should have to ring childline. Shame on the parents !
Very true. A lot more collateral damage than any other drug.
I grew up in that very household, it has had a life long affect on me. I rarely drink and can count the amount of times I’ve been drunk in the last 18 years on my two hands (less than once a year and even then I stayed at a friends house) I don’t believe kids should see their parents drunk. And don’t get me started on single parents who get drunk and are home alone with the kids. How are they supposed to protect their kids in the event of a medical emergency or house fire?
When I met my husband at 17 and I had our first child at 19 I told him he couldn’t move in with me if he ever intended on coming home drunk. He moved in when she was 2, if he intended on getting drunk he stayed at a mates house. In her 17 years she has only seen her dad drunk once and that was a couple of years ago.
People thought I was mad putting those restrictions on him, but I had my reasons.
I don’t mind having a drink or two around the kids, but getting drunk is a No no. It teaches the kids to respect alcohol and only consume it in moderation.
Very good post. I did not drink alcohol until my mid thirties. I control it and enjoy it moderately. It never controls me and am glad it doesn’t.
Truly well done to the volunteers. What a wonderful thing to do.
The average calls a day to childline in 2015 was 400. It’s a damn shame this is the effect Christmas has on our nation. I even find those with the money to afford a good Christmas get too caught up in the competitive consumerism of spending on useless garbage that doesn’t live past January.
@Kevin Higgins: good point about competitive consumerism.
I think often people get into far worse conditions when drinking at home than in pubs. Societal constraints don’t exist there by comparison and lines get blurred in more ways than one. You can get drunk and go upstairs to bed. Due to a nasty viral gastro infection none of us in this house are drinking this Christmas and it’s very nice so far.
have your say