5,600 drinks and hospitality jobs in the midlands jeopardised with young people particularly at risk

As Dublin returns to lockdown for a minimum of three weeks and the country remains on level two of the Government’s National Framework for Living with Covid-19, a new economic report released shows that 5,600 of the accommodation and food service jobs in the midlands (Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois), which include jobs in drinks and hospitality businesses like pubs, hotels, and restaurants, 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, 'Employment in the drinks and hospitality industry: the threat of Covid-19 to jobs and how to minimise it', shows that the 15-24 age group, which comprises nearly a third of all accommodation and food service employment in the midlands, is particularly exposed and could suffer 1,800 job losses before the end of 2020.

The report suggests that as many as 63% of all accommodation and food services jobs in Ireland, 114,000 in total, which includes jobs in pubs, restaurants, and hotels, could be lost by year’s end without further supports. This includes 36,300 jobs among the 15-24 age group.  

7.6% of all national employment is in accommodation and food services. 31.8% of all workers are in the 15-24 age group, and the majority of all employees are women (54.6%).   

The industry’s current commercial environment is dire: restaurants are operating at approximately 60% capacity, pubs serving food at 50%, and hotels at 25%. These figures are unlikely to improve over Christmas and the winter period. Tourism is non-existent, and few social or cultural activities are permitted.  

Liam Reid, Chair of DIGI, said: “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.   

“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.”  

Knock-on effects on the rest of Ireland  

Lockdown in Dublin will have knock-on effects on drinks and hospitality businesses elsewhere in the country as domestic tourists from the capital cancel their bookings in regional hotels, restaurants, and pubs.    

In the midlands region (Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois), accommodation and food service jobs make up 6.6% of all employment.   

“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.  

“For all, drinks and hospitality businesses are one of the few sectors in their locality where actual employment opportunities exist, the business where they first start to develop skills and qualities that stand to them forever. If these businesses close for good, many villages and towns will be left with little to no employment opportunities.”  

Immediate additional remediation  

DIGI is 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.”