The Government announced a cut in the VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% on all tourism related goods and services as part of the Irish Jobs Initiative. The VAT cut will take effect from 1 July 2011 until the end of 2013 and the measure will cost the Exchequer €120m in 2011, €350m in 2012 and 2013, and €60m in 2014. The VAT reduction applies to activities such as restaurant and catering services, hotel and holiday accommodation and entertainment services like cinemas and sporting facilities.

Louis Fitzgerald, Chairman of the Louis Fitzgerald Group said, “This decrease of 4% VAT will provide a significant boost to the tourism and hospitality sector and will benefit consumers directly. The Louis Fitzgerald Group has extended these cuts to our group of 20 pubs and three hotels in Dublin, Galway and Maynooth will continue to pass on the reduced prices until the end of 2013. As a thank you to our loyal customers Joel’s Restaurant, Newman’s Cross will introduce these savings one week early from June 25^th.”

The 4% reduction will see a saving of up to €4 on overnight accommodation costs.

For more information on VAT reductions with the Louis Fitzgerald Group or to book your reduced rate accommodation call the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel on 01 403 3300 or log onto www.louisfitzgerald.com.

About the Louis Fitzgerald Group:

The Fitzgerald Pub and Hotel Group is a privately owned company offering a vast array of traditional, modern, touristic, historic and local pubs in Dublin, Maynooth and Galway-  The Big Tree, Finches, Kehoes, Laurels, Stag’s Head, the Marble Arch, The Old Mill, Palmerstown House, Penny Hill, An Poitin Stil, The Quays Dublin, The Quays Galway, Roost, Gin Palace, Traders, Kiltipper Inn The Lotts Cafe Bar, Grand Central, Copper Alley, Mint at The Pennyhill. Joels Restaurant, Arlington Hotel O’Connell Bridge, Arlington Hotel Temple Bar, Louis Fitzgerald Hotel.