The Restaurants Association of Ireland has said the focus of the hospitality sector is now on sustaining and reviving the industry.
In its Pre-Budget submission, it is calling on the Government to provide wage and recruitment supports. The RAI, which represents over 2,700 businesses, said 94% of the restaurants are currently unable to recruit staff.
"Financial supports to enable the sector to reemploy staff and adapt and grow until international tourism returns are paramount to ensuring the continued survival of the hospitality sector, a vital element of our domestic and international tourism offering," said Adrian Cummins, CEO, RAI.
"Our members, including restaurants, gastropubs, cafés and caterers have been economically flattened by the necessary public health restrictions over the last 18 months and now that the sector is slowly reopening, albeit still restricted, our shift must now focus to sustaining and reviving the sector."
It is also calling on an increased tourism budget from the current €186m to €300m.
The RAI would like to see an extension of waivers of commercial rates and street furniture licences.
It is also calling for the retention of the 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector until 2021.
