Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector

Levy being introduced on use of disposable coffee cups

RTE Business – 31.03.2022

A levy on disposable coffee cups will be introduced in the coming months in an effort by the Government to cut their use. The Circular Economy Bill is aimed at reducing waste and influencing behaviour. It also paves the way for use of CCTV to detect and deter illegal dumping and littering. The bill will introduce mandatory segregation of waste and an incentivised charging regime for commercial waste, similar to what exists for the household market. Minister of State with responsibility for Communications and the new Circular Economy Ossian Smyth told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that approval will be needed from the European Union for the change. It will take a few months before it will become law as the EU wants to ensure Ireland is not interfering in the single market, he said.

Minister Launches 'Pubs as Community Hubs' Initiative

Hospitality Ireland  - 28.03.2022

Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD has launched a new initiative called "Pubs as Community Hubs", which is designed to support rural pubs and communities, according to statement published on Gov.ie. According to the statement, the initiative is being rolled out on a pilot basis, and it will see financial supports being provided to publicans in rural areas to diversify their facilities for community use. The initiative is designed to utilise pubs during quiet trading times as the likes of digital hubs, community cinemas, book clubs, arts and crafts workshops and community meeting spaces, according to the statement, which also said that €50,000 of funding has been provided to the Vintners' Federation of Ireland (VFI), which will choose five pubs in Cavan, Kerry, Donegal, Clare and Cork as part of the pilot programme.