Some businesses are not able to operate 7-days-a-week because staffing shortages are reducing their man-power.
That's according to the owner of the Vienna Woods Hotel, Michael Magner.
Hoteliers want a commitment from the government that work-permits for non-EEA nationals will be processed within a specified time period of time.
Covid restrictions hit the hospitality sector particularly hard.
The industry says that staffing problems are now impeding their recovery.
Fáilte Ireland estimate that there are 40 thousand vacancies in the industry.
Speaking to RedFM News, Michael Magner, says that hoteliers want the government to fast-track the processing of work-permits for non-EEA nationals so that serious staff shortages can be alleviated.
"We need to look outside the EEA. And there is definitely suitable candidates there. And that's why we must have those work permit applications turned around much swifter than what's currently being done. We need those permits to be fast-tracked now at this stage because there's significant skill shortages in skilled areas, for example, cheffing is a huge issue right across the restaurant sector, the hotel sector. And I know for a fact that there are some businesses that are only able to open and operate five days of the week at the moment because they can't offer a seven day week because they just don't have the manpower to run those businesses".
In a statement to RedFM News, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which is responsible for processing permits says that:
It "recognises the impact delays, on the processing times for work permits, has for businesses and their workers", and that it "has implemented an action plan to reduce processing times built up over the past year".
They say that "the processing team has trebled in size ... from 2021 levels", and that they "expect to see a consistent strong fall in waiting times from mid-May".
