The Restaurants Association of Ireland has raised serious concerns about the fact that 212 restaurants have closed. This equates to a loss of €288 million to our economy. The Irish Hairdressers Federation has also expressed serious concern and raised the need for the VAT rate to be reduced to 9% again. This would protect jobs in restaurants in our small towns and villages and in hairdressing salons. We need to do it and I call on the Taoiseach to ensure that in the forthcoming budget the VAT rate will be reduced to 9%.

I appreciate the seriousness of the issue the Deputy raised and the pressure small businesses are under. I intend to work with Government colleagues to see how we can support small businesses. The budget will be published in October. The budget conversations seem to start earlier every year, but I take on board the seriousness of the matter the Deputy raised and I am happy to engage with her as we get closer to budget day. The summer economic statement in June or July will be the next point in budget discussions.