Local Disappointment with decision to increase Hospitality VAT rate

The decision to increase the VAT Hospitality VAT from 9 per cent to 13.5 has been sharply criticised by local councillors today.

The reduced rate for tourism, hospitality and some other services returned to 13.5% at midnight last night.

Ireland will now have the third highest hospitality VAT rate in Europe.

Sligo Strandhill Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom MacSharry has a motion tabled on the issue for next Monday's meeting of the local Authority.

He says that it's vital for the Minister for Finance to extend the 9% VAT rate for the food related Hospitality Sector businesses until the end of 2024.