Restaurant owners call for lower Vat rate to continue

The Restaurants Association of Ireland has called on the Government to retain the 9% Vat rate until the economic recovery is more sustainable.

The reduction in the Vat rate from 13.5% to 9% for the tourism sector in 2011 has so far created 31,584 jobs and generated huge revenues for the Government, according to the RAI.

A total of 21,633 direct jobs have been created and 9,951 indirect jobs, which has results in €433m in social welfare payments and an increased $103m in payroll taxes.