'Restaurants need the wage subsidy to keep afloat'

Mike Ryan of The Cornstore and Coqbull said that the continuation of the EWSS scheme will help keep skilled workers in the industry and keep many family-run businesses open

Mike Ryan of The Cornstore and Coqbull Restaurants. Picture: Larry Cummins

Mike Ryan, who operates five restaurants in Limerick and Cork, said the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) is the “number one thing that can keep most restaurants afloat”. 

“Since Covid, we're down about 20% of our staff, but we would be down a further 20-25% without the wage subsidy scheme,” he said.