The Government will be maintaining the 13.5% VAT rate for the sector.
The Enterprise Minister is rejecting claims he failed the hospitality sector in the budget.
The Restaurants Association says over 1,000 businesses could close because the Government decided not to reinstate the 9% VAT rate.
It’s also described a €4,000 grant for businesses as insignificant and insulting.
But Minister, Longford Westmeath TD, Peter Burke is defending the coalition’s decisions: