Cork Business Association to seek clarity from Government on future plans for outdoor dining 

The Taoiseach didn't address the matter or the sector in last evening's State of the Nation address on the Government's plan surrounding the easing of Covid 19 restrictions

It now looks likely that hospitality won't be reopening until at least June..

Meanwhile, it's expected that a €17 million euro fund to help businesses serving food pay for more outdoor seating will be announced later today with grants of up to €4,000 available for each premises. 

Claire Nash who owns Nash19 in the city says the longer they remain closed the more difficult it is and they have already lost a lot of employees and are facing a crisis to find staff. 

Claire says their industry needs a six to eight week lead in.

Speaking to RedFM News Claire says they are seeking a meeting through the CBA with Ministers Michael McGrath and Simon Coveney on the issue of outdoor dining: 

"The deeper we go, the less chance of a bounce of recovery there is for us and I suppose we had thought that definitely we get the outdoor dining piece. I'm not sure did the Taoiseach actually just forget us, or was it a slip of a pen, but he never mentioned the word hospitality, restaurants, cafes, or outdoor dining. 

Well I'm hoping that the Restaurant Association will see clarity on it, certainly the Cork Business Association are seeking clarity this morning on it, we've asked for a meeting with Michael McGrath and with Simon Coveney on where are we going. Hospitality in the city and retail has to go hand in hand."

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