Over 30,000 jobs in Dublin jeopardised according to new report

Padraig Conlon 21 Sep 2020

With Dublin returning to lockdown for a minimum of three weeks a new economic report reveals that 33,300 hospitality jobs in Dublin could be lost by the end of the year without additional supports from government.  

The report, commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI) and carried out by DCU Business School economist Anthony Foley, also revelaed that 10,600 jobs could be lost among the 15-24 age group in Dublin.

As many as 114,000 total accommodation and food service jobs, including jobs in pubs, hotels, and restaurants, could be lost across the country by the end of 2020, including 36,300 jobs among the 15-24 age group

Liam Reid, Chair of DIGI, said he was calling on the government to help save jobs in the industry.

“Dublin’s lockdown, and further restrictions on restaurants and pubs serving food, will have grave material consequences for thousands of livelihoods, hundreds of businesses and local communities, and Ireland’s long-term economic prospects,” he said.

“Every drinks and hospitality business owner across the country realises the public health risks associated with Covid.

“They have supported the longest hospitality lockdown in Europe and where they have been able to open, they have taken steps to ensure their staff and customers are safe, and that their premises are controlled environments, and invested tens of thousands of euros doing so.

“If the 2008 crash showed us anything, it’s that what we lose now cannot be simply reconstructed next year.

“If businesses cannot operate, jobs will go. This is a highly precarious industry, and every week of closure counts. The long-term risk is enormous, and a specific package of support measures is urgently required.”

“These jobs matter.

“For many, the drinks and hospitality sector is a lifelong career.

“For others, like students, carers, homemakers and older people, the industry provides an invaluable degree of flexibility, allowing them to earn money part-time while still carrying out other duties and responsibilities,” said Mr Reid.

DIGI say they are calling on the government to aid the drinks and hospitality industry by removing barriers to business and deliver a comprehensive and coordinated set of measures over the coming period to support their recovery.

“Reopening these businesses is not enough,” said Mr Reid.

“We have to focus on recovery, which means making it as easy as possible to actually do business within Covid guidelines.

“Ireland’s pubs, hotels, restaurants and wider drinks and hospitality industry needs practical financial supports this year.

“As this report shows, intervention in 2021 will be too late and jobs will be lost.

“Ireland’s excise taxes are the second highest in Europe and will act as a further barrier to recovery.

“As part of a broad package of measures we are calling on the government to deliver a 15% reduction in excise tax on drinks to support the industry and minimise the risk of job losses.

“More money back in the business owner’s pocket means more money can be directly invested in keeping their doors open and saving their staff from unemployment.”

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