A “serious shortage” of staff means some pubs have had to close to allow workers to go on holidays, politicians will be told on Wednesday.

Difficulty recruiting staff means many pubs are closing for two days per week and there is concern that Ireland’s tourism offering is suffering. 

Pubs were among the businesses worst-hit during the Covid-19 pandemic when they were subject to lengthy periods of closure and restrictions. 

The Oireachtas Committee on Tourism will on Wednesday hear that many staff left the industry to take up jobs elsewhere.

Paul Clancy, the chief executive of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) - which represents publicans outside Dublin - is expected to tell TDs and Senators that the tourism and hospitality sector has “suffered a massive shock”.

He said this has led to “a major challenge in attracting and retaining staff” and action is needed to address this.

His opening statement says the pandemic “played havoc with people’s lives and careers” and people have found alternative employment elsewhere. 

Mr Clancy says the knock-on effect of the current skills shortage is that it is “restricting the capability of many businesses to survive.”

One way some pubs have had to adjust is to close for a period to allow existing employees annual leave.

He says there has also been reduced trading hours and additional hours worked by existing staff.

Pubs are also said to be training new workers “who are both young and inexperienced” and wage rates have been “increased to meet the expectations of existing employees”.

Mr Clancy says: “This is not sustainable if businesses are to remain viable.”

He adds that there has been “a major impact on the tourism offering” and a “lack of trained, experienced staff will impact the quality of service.

“As we begin to reboot our tourism business this has the capacity to be a negative factor.”