Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I appreciate there is a lot in her response and that she has committed €15 million. However, in June last year, the Irish Examinerran the headline "No 'quick fix' for hospitality staff shortages" in which Dr. Deirdre Curran, a lecturer at NUI Galway, who had conducted research on the industry, stated that the pandemic had worsened the problems but there were also significant instances where staff had been emotionally and physically abused. She stressed the importance of listening to workers in the industry. I know the Minister is hoping and is in a position to do something about it by retaining the 9% VAT rate. If it reverts to 13.5%, it will have a significant impact and put pressure on the hostelries and the hospitality sector, and the most adverse effect and impact will probably be on the employees.

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