• Pubs, Bars, Nightclubs and Restaurants to benefit by approx. €10m
  • Second consecutive year that waiver has been granted

The Minister for Justice, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, TD, are pleased to announce that Government has approved a waiver of court fees and excise duties for vintners for the second consecutive year.

Speaking after Cabinet today, Minister Humphreys said:

We are waiving these fees and excise duties again in 2021 to support vintners and other licenced premises. I know that the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on their businesses and we are keen to support them in any way we can. This is an important signal of that support.”

Pubs, bars, nightclubs and restaurants will all benefit from this measure, helping to stimulate economic activity and employment as the sector returns to activity in line with Government and public health recommendations.

The Government has today agreed:

  • To waive court fees relating to the renewal of specified pubs and other liquor licences in 2021;
  • To waive excise and stamp duties associated with those court fees for 2021; and
  • To waive excise duty for on-trade liquor licences on renewal in 2021.

Welcoming today’s Government decision, Minister Donohoe said:

This time last year, the Government agreed a package of measures for vintners impacted by Covid-19, included the waiving of the excise duty on the renewal of the pub licence, together with the excise and stamp duty associated with the Court fees for such renewals.

The Night-Time Economy Taskforce Report recommends that the fees and duties waived in 2020 in order to support vintners and other licensed premises be waived again in 2021 due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the sector. I am pleased to extend this measure again this year, which will be given effect in the Finance Act 2021.

The waiver of these fees and duties is expected to result in a saving to vintners and other licenced premises in the region of €10 million.


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