New stats show that more and more people in rural Ireland are relying on the drinks and hospitality sector for employment.
A new Drinks Industry Group of Ireland report shows hospitality work, which includes pubs, hotels, B&Bs and restaurants – accounts for 9.5% of all employment in the West of Ireland.
This compares to 8% in Dublin – both are above the national average of 7.6%.
DCU Associate Professor of Economics Anthony Foley says the tourism and hospitality sector is an employment powerhouse in recent years:
