Restaurants Association of Ireland describe Budget 2021 as “a step in the right direction towards saving the industry”

Restaurants Association of Ireland describe Budget 2021 as “a step in the right direction towards saving the industry”

Hospitality VAT reduction welcomed toward saving the Hospitality Industry

Disappointing that both employment wage supports schemes EWSS and PUP rates were not restored

Cashback Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS) for Hospitality businesses positive move in Budget 2021



GOVERNMENT HAS EXTENDED A LIFE-LINE TO THE HOSPITALITY SECTOR

The Restaurants Association of Ireland described today’s Budget as a vital step in supporting a struggling and flattened hospitality sector. However, CEO Adrian Cummins has warned that the Hospitality VAT reduction is only a competitive driver if businesses are open and able to trade.

Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland said, “This budget is a life-line for the restaurant and hospitality industry. We welcome the reduction of the VAT rate from 13.5% to 9%.

We also are pleased to see the Covid Restriction Support Scheme (CRSS)announced offering cash payments of up to €5,000 a week for firms forced to close due to Covid-19 restrictions. While these new measures announced today won’t fix everything, there is now hope for many restaurant businesses who are struggling.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland also welcomes the extension of the EWSS scheme until the end of 2021 but it is disappointing that the EWSS and PUP wage supports were not restored to their previous rates, especially for the Restaurant and Hospitality sector which is essentially locked down again. We welcome the extension of the Commercial Rates waiver until the end of 2021.

The €55 million announced for a tourism business support scheme and €5 million for tourism product development is welcome and specific details of how the scheme will impact restaurant and hospitality businesses are eagerly awaited.

Although the supports offered in today’s budget are welcomed, there are still some long hard months ahead. Since lockdown measures and restrictions have been put in place, our industry has complied with the rules. Public safety and the safety of workers have always been at the top of our agenda. But this has meant serious financial difficulties for many. We needed the Government to help us fight for survival, today’s announcements are a temporary life line, and we will need ongoing support to trade out of this.”