The company will provide financial support to bar staff and “vulnerable groups” as Ireland and the rest of the world undergoes challenges from the impact of COVID-19.
Guinness has announced the establishment of a €1.5 million fund providing support to communities affected by Covid-19 in Ireland.
The fund will see €1.2 million go to support bar staff, alongside a further €300,000 to elderly vulnerable people through a partnership with ALONE, a charity helping older people in Ireland.
All pubs, including hotel bars, in Ireland have been ordered to close until at least 29 March, although that period of closure could soon be extended amid an expected sharp rise in the number of cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.
In addition to its funding of €300,000 for ALONE, Guinness is also asking its staff members to pledge time to support the charity’s Befriending service.
This fund will also include £1 million being allocated to support bar tenders in the free trade across Great Britain.
Commenting on Tuesday’s announcement, Oliver Loomes, Country Director of Diageo Ireland said: “We have been supporting the licensed trade in the last week through what is an unprecedented period as we all work together to keep people safe through the closure of licensed premises across the country.”
“Today we are announcing an additional support of €1.5 million, including €1.2 million to bar staff, and we will be working with our partners in the trade, The Licensed Vintners Association and Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), on how we can support bar staff to maximum effect using this funding in what is a very fast-moving situation.”
Also speaking about the creation of the fund, Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of Licensed Vintners Association said: “These are unprecedented times and it’s important that we pull together and show solidarity among the bar community.
“In addition the funding for services for older people is much needed and builds on the partnership that we already have in place with ALONE and Guinness addressing isolation among our elderly community”.
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