Hotel & Restaurant Sector

3,500 Dalata employees have been laid off due to the COVID-19 crisis

Hospitality Ireland – 30.04.2020

Dalata CEO Pat McCann said during the hotel group's AGM on Wednesday April 29 that it has laid off 3,500 employees due to the COVID-19 crisis. McCann said that he was sorry that the group has been forced to lay off staff as a result of COVID-19-related closures, but that contact with those who have been laid off is continuing via various programmes. He also said that the pay of those who have not been laid off have has been cut significantly. In a statement from Dalata's chairman, John Hennessy, issued on the morning of April 29 before the AGM, it was revealed that the group's revenue per available room (RevPAR) decreased in the first quarter of 2020, but Hennessy said that the group is "in a strong position [financially] to trade through the [COVID-19] crisis."

Fears for 120,000 restaurant jobs due to Covid-19 crisis

RTE Business – 27.04.2020

The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has said 120,000 jobs in the sector could be lost permanently in the coming two months if action is not taken to help it. The organisation has put forward a nine-point Covid-19 Crisis Recovery Plan focusing on issues such as VAT reduction, rent measures and wage supports which it says will help save and recover the industry. "Our plan which is the only viable solution for restaurants is on the desks of ministers and departments," Adrian Cummins, CEO of the RAI, said. "We are seeking urgent action to save and recover our industry as nine out of ten restaurants face permanent closure in the months ahead without urgent action."