The hospitality sector opened back up over the weekend.
Retailers and restaurants are struggling to find staff to work over Christmas.
Some have suffered staff shortages as a result of workers moving to more secure jobs in supermarkets and pharmacies.
Other business owners say workers are reluctant to come off the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for the promise of just a few weeks work.
Dara Cruise - manager at the Midlands Park Hotel in Portlaoise - says people in the industry have had to look elsewhere for regular work:
The Laois hotelier says they'll have to consider taking deposits if people continue not showing up for bookings.
Mr. Cruise was impressed with the high levels of compliance with covid guidelines.
But he can understand the frustration at people not showing up for their bookings at such a critical point for the industry:
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