125. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will consider targeted supports for family-run and seasonal businesses in Mayo that are particularly vulnerable to economic fluctuations, in view of the fact that these businesses are often the backbone of the economy in rural areas and require support year round; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30586/26]

Sentiment score: 0.16

Seasonal businesses, like many in my county of Mayo, are particularly vulnerable to economic fluctuations. Will the Department consider targeted supports to these businesses that are often the backbone of the economy in rural areas but also the social environment? Given there are three out of five Oireachtas Members from Mayo in the Chamber, I wish everybody a happy Mayo Day, four days early.

Sentiment score: 0.34

I thank the Minister for State. I also thank the Minister, Deputy Burke, for visiting Westport earlier in the year and meeting with our businesses. However, I have to say and I am sure the Minister of State is aware, the last few weeks have been hugely difficult. I have met with business people who maybe do not call to the office or do not usually talk to me on the street about their problems. I am thinking about a retailer who inherited the family business who is close to closing the doors of a clothes shop. I am thinking of a beautician who has been open for 15 years who told me this was the hardest year ever. I am thinking of the pubs that are closing in places like Achill or Ballycroy, which are where men in their 60s, 70s or 80s especially, who may not be in men's sheds yet, go for social connection. Do we have to help those pubs transition from pubs into community hubs or think outside the box? I think of an ice cream shop that would love to stay open until 10 o'clock or 11 o'clock at night but cannot get the staff.

Sentiment score: 0.18

It is very obvious we have been doing a lot to support and I think of the 9% VAT rate in the hospitality industry, which has been really welcome. What struck me about these businesses is that they do not seem to be reaching out for the local enterprise office supports. They do not seem to be aware of that cost of business advisory forum or the small business unit. What are we doing wrong that these business people I am meeting in the street do not seem to be aware of these supports or they are saying these supports are not enough? From an outreach perspective, what are the plans in order that we can reach these people who feel like they are on the cusp of closing their doors? The biggest thing that came across when the Minister visited Westport and met with the chamber of commerce was rates. Businesses were talking about when they were paying rates when they first opened their doors, they were getting rubbish collection and free water, and now they feel it is only the roads and the lighting they are getting. We need to go a bit further to reach these businesses that are telling me they are not feeling the support and are close to closing their doors.

Sentiment score: 0.25