Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The approval the Minister mentioned would be positive.

A motion was brought forward at Clare County Council recently to request a review of supports for small businesses and highlighting the hospitality sector. I echo that request.

I note that the Restaurants Association of Ireland praised the increased cost of business scheme and the PRSI threshold change, as the Minister mentioned. However, it also said it is insufficient to deal with the increase in the VAT rate. The Government has been adamant that is not something it can achieve, but I wanted to mention it again because it is what I am hearing on the ground. Some 612 restaurants, cafés, gastropubs and other food-related hospitality businesses have permanently closed their doors since the VAT rate for the sector increased from 9% to 13.5% on 1 September 2023.

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