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RAI critical of 'Monumental Blow'

A decision to proceed with cuts to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme from Wednesday has been blasted as a "monumental blow" RAI ceo Adrian Cummins cummins2021

The Department of Finance has confirmed that the ending of enhanced rates will kick in, despite the announcement of further restrictions in recent days.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland has described the cuts to the EWSS supports as a monumental blow to the Irish Hospitality Sector at a critical time for businesses in the lead up to Christmas.

In a statement, the RAI said the combination of messaging from Government regarding reducing social contacts and now a cut to the EWSS will cause untold economic damage to a currently financially distressed sector.

Under the enhanced terms, an employer availing of the EWSS for an employee on a weekly wage of €350, the subsidy has increased from €203 per week to €300 per week.

Similarly, for an employee on a weekly wage of €475 the subsidy has increased from €203 per week to €350 per week.

The Department of Finance said that from December 1 2021 to February 28 2022, the original two-rate subsidy of €151.50 and €203 will apply.

For March and April 2022, a single flat rate of €100 will apply and the reduced rate of Employers’ PRSI will be reinstated for these two months.

Air BnB staff earn €177,000

Staff at an Irish unit of Airbnb last year earned an average pay of €177,000 each, which included a share-based payment of $55.46 million (€48.94 million). airbnb2021

According to accounts lodged with the Companies Office, staff at Airbnb Ireland last year shared total pay of $98.6 million. That comprised salary of $43.14 million and share-based payments of $55.46 million, equating to average pay of about $200,000 (€177,000) per employee for the year. Employee numbers fell from 498 to 444 over the course of the year.

The share-based payments contributed to overall remuneration, more than doubling last year from $39.36 million in 2019.

Arab Film Fest Returns

The eighth annual Dublin Arabic Film Festival (DAFF) curated by Jim Sheridan and film director, Zahara Moufid, will run online from the 8th-12th of December 2021. Six feature edge1121 length and eight short Arab films will be shown on www.dublinarabicfilmfestivalonline.com

Zahara Moufid,

pictured with The Edzge,and Jim Sheridan established DAFF in 2014 in a bid to allow Irish audiences the opportunity to enjoy some of the best new and classic Arab films ever made. The festival, which has been presented and supported since its inception by Dubai Duty Free, has had some very high-profile actors, filmmakers and celebrities involved with it over the years.

This year, the festival has included several films which explore the lives of Arab women who are often restricted by the confines of their own families and the society in which they live. These films not only shine a light on the lives of Arab women but also gives audiences the chance to see the work of some of the most prominent female Arab filmmakers.

Bewleys opens Christmas Market

Allie Sherlock, one of Ireland’s best-known buskers, turned on the Christmas lights at Bewley’s Café in Dublin and launched the Bewley’s Christmas Market, a festive store allie

created by Bewley’s in its Grafton Street home that will support local businesses and producers.

From ceramics to books, vinyl records to crafted goods, and Bewley’s very own limited edition Christmas Coffee Blend, the space will be a bustling hub of Irish products.

The Bewley’s Christmas Market has been created to celebrate and profile Irish producers and encourage consumers to shop local and support small businesses during the festive season.

Supermacs looks abroad for staff

Supermacs boss, Pat McDonagh, has confirmed that the group is now recruiting workers from overseas due to a shortage of Irish applicants.

Mr McDonagh said that over the past two months and up to the end of the year, Supermacs will have recruited over 100 EU workers who don't require work permits from eastern Europe, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

He said that one of the reasons for the shortage of workers here is the Government’s Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

"I think the PUP caused people to get a bit lazy," he said.