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Hotel room with speakers and a 'VAT 9' sign in yellow

Restaurants Association calls for return of 9% VAT rate

The Restaurants Association of Ireland, supported by economic research from economist Tony Foley, today launched a significant report making the case for the restoration of the 9% VAT rate for food services and addressing recent criticisms of the policy measure.

Business • 19 Aug

Further closures if VAT not reduced for hospitality - RAI

The Restaurants Association of Ireland is warning of further closures and job losses if the VAT rate for food-led hospitality businesses is not reduced.

Business • 03 Jul

The draft programme for government includes plans to cut the VAT rate to 9% for food services, entertainment and hairdressing in the next budget

Restaurant industry welcomes plans to cut VAT rate to 9%

The new draft programme for government includes plans to cut the VAT rate to 9% for food services, entertainment and hairdressing in the next budget.

Business • 15 Jan

The Restaurants Association of Ireland said the Government must provide targeted support to the hospitality sector in October's budget to avoid further closures

612 food-led hospitality businesses close since VAT hike

A total of 612 restaurants, cafes, gastropubs and other food serving hospitality businesses have closed over the last year, research from the Restaurants Association of Ireland has found.

Business • 09 Sep 24

Among the measures will be an additional targeted cash payment to businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors

Cabinet approves new support measures for businesses

The Cabinet has approved a package of measures aimed at providing additional support to small and medium sized enterprises facing rising costs.

Business • 14 May 24

212 restaurants have closed so far in 2024

Restaurant closures since January may cost economy €288m

The Irish economy could lose up to €288m annually as a result of the closure of more than 200 restaurants, cafes and other food-led businesses so far this year, a new report claims.

Business • 16 Apr 24

Mr Martin indicated that the Government may be prepared to intervene on the issue of the warehousing of tax debts.

Deadline for warehoused tax debts may be extended

The Tánaiste has indicated that the Government may be prepared to consider extending the deadline for businesses who warehoused tax debts to the Revenue Commissioners during the Covid-19 pandemic, in order to help many struggling operators in the restaurant sector.

Business • 15 Jan 24

Irish tourism bodies described Summer 2023 as a mixed bag with varied performances in different parts of the country and in different sectors

How did Irish tourism fare this summer?

The rain poured cold water on the domestic tourism market in Ireland this summer, sending Irish people overseas in search of sunshine.

Business • 02 Sep 23

The Government has announced a final extension of the 9% reduced VAT rate for the hospitality sector for a further six months

Govt to expand TBESS, keep 9% VAT rate until September

The Government has today announced more measures to help businesses deal with cost-of-living increases.

Business • 21 Feb 23

The report says increasing the VAT rate would add further to the rising cost of living

1 in 5 restaurants at risk if VAT increases warns RAI

One in every five restaurants in Ireland will be at risk of closure if the Government increases the reduced VAT rate back to 13.5% again as planned, the Restaurants Association of Ireland has warned.

Business • 12 Feb 23

88% of employers in hospitality say they are having 'considerable difficulty' recruiting chefs

Crisis cooking in hospitality due to chef shortage

They should be cooking up a storm in the kitchen, but a crisis is brewing in hospitality due to the shortage of chefs.

Business • 26 Mar 22

The bill will provide a legal entitlement for workers to receive tips and gratuities paid in electronic form.

A tipping point: New law will ensure tips go to staff

It may be hard to believe, but currently employers in Ireland are not obliged under law to pass on any tips received from customers to their staff.

Business • 20 Feb 22

As it stands, the Government has not advised employers to cancel festive parties

Should work Christmas parties be cancelled?

Nobody wants another online work Christmas party, but with Covid cases surging and immunity waning for the vaccinated, should such in-person events go ahead?

Business • 20 Nov 21

The RAI is calling for an increased tourism budget from the current €186m to €300m

Wage and recruitment supports required - RAI

The Restaurants Association of Ireland has said the focus of the hospitality sector is now on sustaining and reviving the industry.

Business • 27 Sep 21

The Irish Air Line Pilots' Association has warned that many sectors of the Irish economy will collapse following today's decision by Government

Calls for clear timeline on reopening of indoor dining

Chambers Ireland has called on the Government to provide certainty to businesses now facing a further delay to their reopening, as to when they can re-open.

Business • 29 Jun 21

The VFI is calling for the removal of the 105-minute time limit from the guidelines

Pubs welcome reopening plan, restaurants 'baffled'

There has been mixed reaction to this evening's Government announcement among businesses in the hospitality sector.

Business • 28 May 21

Outdoor hospitality - including restaurants and all pubs - will resume on 7 June

Hotels reopen 2 June, outdoor hospitality from 7 June

The Government's reopening plan has divided the hospitality industry, according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland.

Coronavirus • 29 Apr 21

Outdoor hospitality, including restaurants and all pubs, will open on 7 June

Business groups largely welcome Govt reopening plan

Business groups have largely welcomed the latest Government plan for the reopening of the economy, which will see sectors reopen on a phased basis from 10 May.

Business • 29 Apr 21

Hairdressers could be allowed to reopen in May, the Government said

Mixed reaction from business groups to Govt plans

Today's Government announcement will provide relief for some sectors.

Business • 31 Mar 21

The restaurant sector contributes over €3 billion to the Irish economy annually, the RAI estimates

Half of restaurants face permanent closure, says RAI

Half of restaurants face permanent closure in the wake of the pandemic, according to the lobby group which represents the industry.

Business • 22 Mar 21

Indoor dining returns (Pic: Rollingnews.ie)

Restaurants, cafes and some pubs reopening

Large parts of the hospitality sector, including restaurants, cafes and pubs that serve food have reopened following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Coronavirus • 04 Dec 20

December is a vital month for the restaurant industry and accounted for over 30% of annual income in previous years

Restaurants urge Government to allow indoor dining

The Restaurants Association of Ireland is urging the Government to permit indoor dining in restaurants as the country exits Level 5 restrictions for the reopening of the economy and society in December.

Business • 20 Nov 20

VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% welcomed by hospitality sector

Budget 'a life-line' to hospitality sector

The reduction in the tourism VAT rate and the extension of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme have been broadly welcomed by the hospitality sector.

budget 2021 • 13 Oct 20

Restaurant owners said that since the end of June the sector has implemented all the guidelines and regulations required to protect staff and customers from the virus

Businesses concerned at move to Level 3 restrictions

Businesses in the tourism and hospitality sectors have reacted with concern to the news that the country is to move to Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions.

Business • 05 Oct 20

Adrian Cummins, the CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, said the possibility of shutting down indoor dining in Dublin has 'come out of the blue'

RAI chief warns restrictions could affect 50,000 jobs

Adrian Cummins, the chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, has said the possibility of shutting down indoor dining in Dublin has "come out of the blue" and with no consultation with the sector.

Business • 18 Sep 20