The Irish Hotels Federation has called on the Government to replicate the 'Help for Business' scheme announced yesterday in the North to assist businesses that have been affected by the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
The IHF says that considering all hotels and guesthouses here have suffered severe hardship as a result of the crisis, similar relief packages should be developed here.
The measures announced in the North are:
- no local authority rates for three months for businesses affected by foot and mouth where turnover is down by 15% or more
- a Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme
- the deferral of VAT, inland revenue, customs and excise duties as well as taxes without any deferred interest payments, on a case by case basis.
The IHF called for similar measures last March. It suggested removing VAT on accommodation and food sales from March to June and introducing a lower interest loan scheme for hotels and guest houses.
