Cost of dining out set to rise when Vat rate is increased, industry group says

The Vat rate was initially reduced to 9% as a measure to protect businesses during the height of the covid-19 pandemic. File picture

The cost of dining out in towns and cities is likely to rise when the Vat rate is increased in September, the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has said.

The RAI and the Hairdressers Federation Ireland (HFI) are campaigning for the Government to retain the existing 9% Vat rate for hospitality in the upcoming budget, ahead of the planned increase to 13.5% on September 1.