The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has called on the government to retain the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) that is currently scheduled to conclude in mid-June, which is before many businesses, including hotels, can reopen.
IHF president Elaina Fitzgerald Kane said that while the current employment supports are very welcome, they must be retained until the government restrictions on physical distancing and mass gathering are lifted.
Fitzgerald Kane made the above statement in response to the publication of the latest TWSS figures by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. At present, 90% of hotels across the country are closed while the majority of the 260,000 people employed in tourism and hospitality prior to the crisis are currently laid off.
“Vital”
Fitzgerald Kane stated, “Employment supports are vital for the road to recovery for businesses including those in tourism and hospitality, which have been devastated by the COVID-19 crisis. Tourism can play a strong role in Ireland’s economic recovery, but it requires support to do so, including employment initiatives such as the Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme. However, its continuation must be aligned with the recovery of the tourism sector to have a meaningful impact on the preservation of employment levels across the industry.
“This is the greatest health crisis in living memory and we appreciate that significant resources are being committed to address the overriding issue of public health. However, the health and well-being of all citizens is intertwined with the economy, and people will need livelihoods after the crisis is over, including the 260,000 people working in tourism and hospitality.”
View the orginal article by Dave Simpson on Hospitality Ireland.
Stay up to date
Latest News
-
Retention of 9% VAT rate “crucial” to tourism industry
Dublin’s Ashling Hotel has welcomed the Government announcement that the 9% VAT rate will be retained for a further six…
7 March, 2023
-
The Old Punch Bowl Of Dublin Hits The Market
The Old Punch Bowl of 116 Rock Road, 1 Booterstown Avenue, Booterstown, Co. Dublin, has hit the market. Details…
7 March, 2023
-
Bar Sales Increased Year On Year In January
According to the Retail Sales Index January 2023 (Provisional) and December 2022 (Final) report from the Central Statistics Office (CSO),…
7 March, 2023
-
Ireland’s First ‘World French Restaurant’ Awarded To Chez Max
Chez Max, Dublin’s answer to a traditional French bistrot, and Chez Max Café became Ireland’s first restaurant to be awarded…
7 March, 2023
-
The Dean Expands Its Dublin Footprint With The Dean Townhouse
Following the launch of The Dean hotels on Dublin’s Harcourt Street and in Cork and Galway, a new extension of…
7 March, 2023
-
Dublin Airport’s Passenger Traffic Increased Year On Year In February
The number of people who passed through Dublin Airport increased by 3% in February 2023 compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic February…
7 March, 2023
-
Dalata Hotel Group plc has announced that it has acquired a 192-bedroom hotel at 240 Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park,…
7 March, 2023