The Government’s July stimulus plan has been described as a “big, missed opportunity”, which does not deal with the “quantum of the problems in the tourism and hospitality”.

The Government’s July stimulus plan has been described as a “big, missed opportunity”, which does not deal with the “quantum of the problems in the tourism and hospitality”. 
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Sinn Fein’s Finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty said “we needed more ambition” and for the plan to be more targetted and fair. 
The Government yesterday agreed a €5bn package of 50 new measures to boost economic recovery and get people back to work. 
A Stay and Spend tax rebate worth up to €125 per person to assist the tourism sector in the off-season based on a spend of €625 is also included. 
Mr Doherty criticised the ‘staycation’ proposal as very cumbersome and excludes a million workers, carers and the unemployed. 
He said if you go to a restaurant in October, the State is subsidising one table by 20% and giving nothing to another table – and the one not being supported is the low income table and the person who needs a break. 
He also said the Government’s €300m in grant aid is “paltry” and excludes sole traders and the reduction on VAT should have specifically targetted the tourism and hospitality sectors and should have been cut to 9%. 
Deputy Doherty said that this would have paid for itself by the end of the year by getting people back to work and off the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. 
“We have a ridiculous situation” where you could go into a restaurant in October to see two identical meals served to two tables, with the State subsidising one by 20% while the other gets no support, because they’re low-income, Sinn Féin’s @PearseDoherty tells @MorningIrelandpic.twitter.com/q0vwm2ltJv
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) July 24, 2020