17/08/2015

Special Tourism VAT Rate 'Huge Success' - FG

A special 9% VAT rate for the tourism industry has been praised as a "huge success" and credited with the creation of more than 30,000 jobs.

Welcoming the news, Minister of State for European Affairs and Data Protection, Dara Murphy, said: "Tourism is one of Ireland’s largest industries, supporting over 200,000 jobs, and it’s rebounding strongly. Under the Fine Gael led Government the sector has continued to grow and has been vital in rebuilding Ireland’s economy.

"Official CSO figures for the first half of 2015 confirm growth of +11.7% in overseas visitors to Ireland - an additional 407,100 visitors when compared with January to June 2014.

"The special 9% VAT rate for the tourism industry was introduced by Fine Gael in 2011 to help the sector get back on its feet and anyone can see from the latest tourism figures that it has been a huge success. Fáilte Ireland research has shown that since the VAT rate was originally cut to 9%, tourism has generated an extra 30,000 jobs.

"This Government remains committed to growing the tourism sector further and continuing to support local businesses and those who work within them."

(MH)

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