Rural economies now rely heavily on tourism and hospital for jobs

New stats show that more and more people in rural Ireland are relying on the drinks and hospitality sector for employment.

A new Drinks Industry Group of Ireland report shows hospitality work, which includes pubs, hotels, B&Bs and restaurants - accounts for 9.5% of all employment in the West of Ireland.

This compares to 8% in Dublin - both are above the national average of 7.6%.

DCU Associate Professor of Economics Anthony Foley says the tourism and hospitality sector is an employment powerhouse in recent years:

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