A Cork hotelier has said that delays in the issuing of work visa's is hindering the sector's much needed post-Covid recovery.
Pandemic restrictions crippled the hospitality sector before they were lifted at the end of January.
However, hotel and restaurant businesses are struggling to get back on track because of staffing shortages.
Speaking to RedFM News, the owner of the Vienna Woods Hotel, Michael Magner, says he is aware of some businesses being forced to cut their opening hours because they can't get staff.
Fáilte Ireland estimate that there are 40 thousand vacancies in the industry.
RedFM News has contacted the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment for comment.
Speaking to RedFM News, Michael says that the work visa situation is "very concerning":
"The Work Permit System that we relied on to get the suitable candidates in - there's significant delays in those visas being processed. And that's causing a significant knock-on for our sector as we move forward into what typically would be our busier time of the year. And remember, we're after a significantly difficult two years. The hospitality and tourism industry was so hard hit. We're only just recovering and now we're dealing with the issue around the cost of doing business. So we must try and stay open as much as we possibly can, but if we don't have that manpower to allow businesses run, it's very concerning".
