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Food News

27th Apr 2020

Restaurant Association of Ireland launches nine-point crisis recovery plan

Sarah Finnan

Restaurant Association of Ireland

The Restaurant Association of Ireland has this morning released a nine-point plan that aims to help save and recover the restaurant industry.

The Restaurant Association of Ireland has launched a Covid-19 crisis recovery plan this morning, outlining how best to help restaurants in the current climate.

According to statistics released by the RAI, nine out of 10 restaurants face permanent closure at the moment putting over 120,000 jobs at risk in the coming months. The new plan endeavours to save the restaurant industry, and give business owners the support needed to get back on their feet.

A statement on the RAI website reads:

“Since the initial decline in restaurant customers in late February the Restaurants Association of Ireland has engaged at local level with its 3,000 strong membership of Restaurants, Gastropubs, Cafés and eateries and listened to their asks.

The asks of this recovery plan have been communicated to various governmental departments, TDs, Senators and Fáilte Ireland over the last number of weeks as we all seek to ensure the Irish Restaurant and Hospitality Industry recovers and strengthens in the coming months ahead, which will not be without their challenges.”

The plan outlines a number of measures that will aid the struggling food and beverage industry including a reduction in VAT, introducing wage supports for restaurant and hospitality staff and waiving licences for outdoor tables and chairs so as to enable businesses to reopen and adapt to social distancing.

Adding that “it is the only viable solution for restaurants”, the plan is currently on the desks of Ministers and Departments.

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