Details of new €17m outdoor dining scheme announced

Details of a new €17 million scheme for developing outdoor dining capacity nationwide were announced earlier today (Wednesday).

The 'Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme' is due to be delivered in partnership by Fáilte Ireland and Local Authorities across the country.

When it was first mooted last month, the scheme was expected to focus on eight cities and towns, one of which was to be Athlone.

However, it was subsequently decided that it should be extended to all parts of the country.

The details issued by Fáilte Ireland today stated that part one of the scheme would provide funding for individual tourism and hospitality businesses to develop and increase their own outdoor seating capacity.

Funding allocated under part two would enable councils to develop permanent outdoor public dining spaces in towns and urban centres, similar to those that exist in various European cities.

The scheme will open for initial applications on Monday week, April 12.

"The aim is to support jobs and businesses and to transform appropriate outdoor spaces within our cities and towns as welcoming, vibrant places that will help support economic recovery," stated Minister Catherine Martin.

Fáilte Ireland's CEO, Paul Kelly, said: "Part one of the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme relates to outdoor seating and accessories, to help tourism and hospitality businesses offset some of the costs incurred in upgrading premises for outdoor dining and seating.

"Part two of the scheme relates to weatherproofing and outdoor dining infrastructure, which focuses on the development of medium to large scale permanent public dining spaces in towns and centres in preparation for welcoming back visitors when it is safe to do so."

Mr Kelly said each local authority could apply for up to €200,000 in funding under the second element of the scheme.