Have you applied for yours?
Whatās wrong with it? Other countries have done it. Itās an effective way to support an industry and give something to people after a difficult period. Itās win win.
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Do you see the multiple obvious flaws in it which leads to the obvious conclusion that itās proposal is a deeply cynical exercise
Iām not against putting ā¬800m into tourism related businesses if required but this is not the way.
I havent even given it a seconds thought tbh ā¦ theyāre all deeply cynical.
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At the simplest level, the issue for tourism and assorted businesses in Ireland isnāt a demand problem itās constrained supply.
The pub isnāt closed because it doesnāt have people willing to buy pints and it wonāt be half empty when it opens because it canāt attract customers - itās because they are only allowed/able to supply so much capacity despite having a very similar cost base.
The vouchers are the equivalent of giving people drinks tokens - there is still the same constraint on what each pub can take in so it provides little additional support beyond the existing demand - it just displaces it. So the pub makes the same amount of money as before itās just that its the gov picking up the tab not the punter.
This is just a sop to appeal to simpletons. Iām surprised to see you biting down on it.
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Youāve talked only about pubs. The vouchers are proposed for the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Ok - but the same applies elsewhere, hotels, restaurants, self-catering etc. Already there are reports of high demand for tourist type accommodation etc as the country reopens. The demand is pent-up and there but they can only provide so much capacity because of all the Covid-19 extra restrictions.
If we could fully open up everything and there was subdued demand then maybe thereās a case but I donāt think this is the best way to support the industry. If you want to give them ā¬800m do it directly in the form of grants that they can use to subsidise the extra costs they have at the moment - that would probably help support employment too.
And as a follow-on. If the vouchers could be used in pubs, Iād suggest a very high amount of them would be.
The demand slack that I would assume they would look to take up would be quieter periods generally with less overseas inbound travel. Itās hard to game for that as a government.
The issue there with that is that if we have further lockdowns then you are almost back at square one.
Moot point to discuss but Iād imagine they couldnāt be used for alcohol.
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You do realize that people will also be spending their own money too ā¦ The voucher might get them accom and lunch ā¦ but local shops/ attractions/ eateries and pubs will also benefitā¦ you shouldnt be allowed use the voucher in pubs.
You say there is enough pent up demand, thatās a view, it may be correct. Even if so, how far will that extend? Will that pent up demand extend into the shoulder season to make up for the lost business? Could there be any benefit at all to support being distributed in the form of vouchers after the difficult few months many people have had?
Thereās lots of data to suggest that if you let people spend their own money at the moment -they will. They donāt need help. The biggest issue for these businesses is that they have to limit how many customers they can take after months of being shut-down. This addresses neither of those issues.
As Iāve outlined, this is designed to appeal to the general public (who like free things) more than it is designed to effectively support the industries.
To repeat myself - Itās cynical and aimed at simpletons
I wonder could you spend the childās one on pints?
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Thatās a fair question but Iād imagine we deal with that when we get there and weāre def not at that point now. I still think if youāre going to spend ā¬800m then direct support to those businesses is far more efficient.
Iām sure thereās pro and con - iāve seen other countries use it successfully. Iām not saying it;s a great initiative but I also dont think itās the worst idea in the world. In short, meh.
Itāll be awful if all of those hooligans from Dublin descend on places like Courtown and Tramore with their vouchers instead of fecking off to Spain
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I think youāve jumped to a view because it came from SF and looks like a hand out. In fact it would be an effective measure and itās already been introduced in a couple of EU countries. If you paused to think on it a bit more you could probably see lots of benefits to this approach beyond direct support.
I thought that was the case up till the autumn anyway? The evidence suggests that.
Hotels are being booked up for when they reopen. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/consumer/surge-in-demand-for-hotel-rooms-as-staycation-season-looms-1.4273621
Iām not against the idea of a demand stimulus but the issue I have is its efficacy.
People would likely just use the vouchers against their upcoming planned trips. Will this stimulate demand in December or January to a sufficient degree to offset lost inbound demand? If there is another lockdown during the winter period, it wonāt do much good in the short term.
Realistically targeted bailouts are likely the best solution with some VAT relief as well.
Youre right on the SF angle ā itās like a red rag to a bull with this fella.
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