Budget 2027: €15m to keep rural 'pub doors open'
A €15 million support package to keep rural "pub doors open" was confirmed by the Minister for Finance Simon Harris today (Tuesday, October 6).
Simon Harris told the Dáil today as he unveiled Budget 2027 that "rural pubs are at the heart of many local communities, providing a place where families, friends and neighbours can come together".
He added: "Supporting our local pub helps keep an important part of rural life alive, while also supporting local jobs and the wider community.
"They are also key small and medium businesses hiring thousands of people around the country, including young people".
He also indicated that over the next number of weeks together with Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke and he "will develop a scheme which will help assist our publicans".
Rural pubs
According to the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) the new measure in Budget 2027 will "help many rural pubs keep their lights on".
VFI CEO Pat Crotty said: "Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence in our rural pubs at a time when the sector has faced enormous cost pressures".
"We have been making the case throughout this campaign that pubs are more than just businesses.
"They are at the heart of communities across Ireland, supporting local employment, tourism and acting as a social anchor in our towns and villages".
According to the VFI more than 2,500 pubs have closed since 2005.
Cigarettes
Meanwhile the Tánaiste said he will also increase the excise duty on a pack of 20 cigarettes by €1 - there will be a pro-rata increase on other tobacco products.
"I am also increasing the duty on e-liquid products by 20 cents per millilitre," the told the Dáil today.
"Smoking continues to kill many Irish people every year.
"It is important that we continue to discourage and dissuade people, particularly younger people from smoking," the Minister of Finance said.
