The Chair of the Shannon branch of the Irish Hotels Federation believes the reversal of cuts to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme will ‘save jobs’ in county Clare.
The initiative has been extended in full until the end of January following the latest round of COVID-19 restrictions on the hospitality sector.
The EWSS scheme is worth a maximum of 350 euro per employee to businesses, though this was cut by around 40 percent to 203 euro per employee back in November.
Following restrictions on the hospitality sector which will run until the 9th of January, the initiative has now been restored in full, prompting relief for businesses in this county.
Commercial rates will also be waived until the end of March, with those having been increased by more than 3 percent by Clare County Council in 2022.
Patrick O’ Donoghue, who’s co-owner of the Monks Restaurant in Ballyvaughan, says being able to keep his doors open is vital.
The CRSS scheme for businesses closed by restrictions, like nightclubs, has been extended until the end of January.
Live events promoters say they’re in need of the supports after bookings for performances such as Christmas pantos stalled in recent weeks.
Indoor events are now only permitted to operate under 50 percent capacity.
Orla Flanagan, who’s Director of glór, says the restrictions are a real challenge for the second festive period in a row.
Despite the supports, a Shannon hotelier thinks the hospitality sector in this industry will take until 2025 to recover to pre-pandemic levels.
Dermot Kelly of the Shannon Springs Hotel believes the industry will be in a much better place by the second quarter of next year.
