The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme should be amended to encompass all hospitality businesses, including so called ‘wet pubs’, accordingly to Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon.
Deputy Dillon said: “The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme was a welcome addition to the many supports introduced to help businesses cope with the challenges of Covid-19.”
“This scheme allows businesses develop and increase their outdoor seating capacity, including equipment like outdoor heaters, and so it is going to be crucial in helping businesses get back on their feet this summer.
“However, it is currently only available to those who serve food, which is creating a division yet again in the industry where last summer pubs that served food were allowed open and so called ‘wet pubs’ remained closed. I would like to see all businesses in the hospitality industry becoming eligible to apply for an amended Outdoor Enhancement Scheme.
“Businesses in the hospitality sector have really felt the greatest impact of the pandemic. It will be fantastic to see them reopen but it’s important they can all do so at the same time, that they are eligible for the same supports and given the same opportunity to rebuild their business.
Deputy Dillon continued “ I welcome Tánaiste Leo Varadkar statement at the Fine Gael parliamentary party last night that the 15-person limit for outdoor dining and the €9 substantial meal rule will be scrapped when hospitality reopens, and that the distinction between pubs that serve food and so-called wet pubs that don’t, will be scrapped and they will be treated “equally”, this is very welcomed especially here in Mayo where we have over 300 pubs trading”
“I also wish to see Minister Catherine Martin appoint a representative of the hospitality industry to the Tourism Recovery Taskforce and the boards of both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. It is important the hospitality industry gets to play an active role in the post pandemic recovery”, Deputy Dillon concluded.
