Tourism stakeholders reach fever pitch to keep lower Vat rate

As the deadline looms closer, it offers stakeholders in the tourism industry a chance to ramp up their efforts to try and finally win a long fought battle to reduce the rate of Vat permanently, writes Cáit Caden

The cost of extending the low rate is estimated to come to €250m.

Tensions are mounting among hospitality businesses as the Vat rate is expected to rise in the coming weeks, but there is a glimmer of hope that it will remain at the lower rate of 9% following recent comments from Tourism Minister Catherine Martin.

Ms Martin said she had campaigned for the reduced Vat rate of 9% to remain in place up until at least the official deadline of March 1, but many are anticipating the rate to return to the pre-pandemic rate of 13.5% from then on.