“Ireland’s hospitality sector is yet again facing almost insurmountable challenges.”
The Government will need to process 10,000 visas in the next nine months to deal with the staffing crisis in the hospitality sector.
The recommendation comes from Shane McLave, Director at Excel Recruitment.
Businesses could face closure if staffing demands can’t be met as soon as possible.
“Ireland’s hospitality sector is yet again facing almost insurmountable challenges as pubs, restaurants, hotels and other outlets throughout the country emerge shaken but standing from the most tumultuous period for Ireland’s hospitality in living memory,” McLave said.
“The businesses that have managed to stay afloat are now experiencing serious staffing shortages – particularly in the positions of chefs, kitchen porters, and front of house staff. The list is endless really.
“The numbers required in terms of the workforce are simply not here at the moment, so like many growing and successful economies, we must look overseas to fill the gap.
“But this is an immediate problem and as it stands the solution i.e., the work visa process, is cumbersome and slow. It needs to change – and thankfully it’s not a difficult fix.
“In short, Ireland is going to need 10,000 visas processed in the next 9 months to deal with the crisis,” he concluded.
McLave recommended that Ireland adopt the Australian visa model, allowing people to work for multiple employers during their stay in Ireland.
Currently, people wishing to come over for work need to have a job before they arrive, and are only permitted to work in one position at a time.
McLave also pointed out that student visas could be updated to allow international students to work here.
“Ireland is currently home to thousands of students from abroad, many of whom are eager to work,” he said.
“However, their Stamp 2 visa model only allows them to work for 20 hours for 7 months of the year and for 40 hrs for just 5 months. These students could also contribute in a big way to solving our staff shortages – if only our visa system facilitated this”.
The trade union SIPTU recently called on employers to pay hospitality staff more to avoid further staff shortages.
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