News
GOOD NEWS FOR CHEF WORK PERMITS Just before Christmas, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation announced that all chef grades are now eligible for work permits. Minister Humphries also removed ‘Commis Chef’ from the ineligible list for work permits. The quota of 610 chef permits has been abolished as has the cap of two chefs per establishment. All changes came into effect from the 1st of January. Commenting on the move, Adrian Cummins, CEO, Restaurants Association of Ireland, said: “Hopefully, these new work permits will help to alleviate staff shortages currently being experienced by the industry. This will be of benefit to all sectors in the hospitality industry and will facilitate combating the chef shortage Ireland is now experiencing.”
GET YOUR TAKEAWAY DRONE DELIVERED Drone delivery firm Manna Aero has announced that it plans to launch food delivery by drone services in Ireland in March of 2020. The company, which was set up by CarTrawler chief technology officer Bobby Healy, has received clearance from Ireland’s regulators and will commence food delivery by drone with an area occupied by 30,000 people. According to an article in the Irish Independent, Bobby Healy said: “We are on the cusp of the fifth industrial revolution, powered by drones and our intention with Manna is to make drone delivery as pervasive as running water. We want to literally transform marketplaces, economies and communities all over the world in a way that not just reduces our carbon footprint, but saves lives and creates jobs while doing so.”
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HOTEL
RESTRICTED SANDWICH BOARDS SCHEME “NOT WORKING” According to reports, a scheme to restrict sandwich boards in Dublin city isn’t working after figures show just one licence has been issued since its introduction four months ago. The council’s chief executive, Owen Keegan, has issued instructions for “zero tolerance” to anyone using unauthorised street furniture and four extra inspectors were hired to carry out enforcement. A total of 149 boards have been seized, with 22 owners paying fees totalling €2,771 to get them back. Officials have also issued 550 warning notices to business owners that they risk having their sandwich boards seized. However, only seven applications for a licence have been made to the council, with only one licence granted to date.
CATERING REVIEW | ISSUE 1 2020
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