Drinks industry urges ‘Support Your Local….’
The launch, held in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, coincided with the publication of a new report by Tony Foley of DCU’s Business School entitled Drinks-related employment in Dáil constituencies 2013. This found that approximately 92,000 jobs are associated with the drinks industry (63,000 direct employment). The industry purchased €1.028 billion worth of local goods and services and an estimated €450 million worth of capital investment is due to be created in the next 3-5 years.
“The national economic impact of the drinks industry is substantial,” stated Tony Foley, “There are 8,298 public houses and other bars and almost 1,700 full off-licences. In addition to the large brewers and distillers there are 25 craft or microbreweries and 15 new distilleries are being developed.
“Nationally, the drinks industry directly provides 63,000 full- or part-time jobs with a wages bill of €885 million and purchases over €1 billion of Irish produced agricultural, other materials and services inputs. These purchases support about 11,600 jobs.
“The direct and indirect employment total of 74,600 supports an additional 17,500 jobs. Overall, the drinks industry supports over 92,000 jobs.”
The report can broadly be broken down into four strands: manufacturing, distribution, on-trade and off-trade.
This accounts for around 90,000 jobs – a conservative estimate, he said, adding that every job generates half-a-job somewhere else in the economy.
“So it’s interesting to note what’s lost at local level in light of the national statistics,” he concluded, “The aim of the report is to ensure that in coming to policy decisions the Government will be aware of what they do to the localities concerned.”
Bart Storan, ‘Support Your Local’s’ Campaign Manager, explained, “This is an exceptional industry with fantastic stories full of rich detail to tell. So when we say ‘Support Your Local’ we are talking about supporting your local farmer, supporting your local distillery, supporting your local pub, restaurant, hotel or independent off-licence and supporting your local community. The campaign will be bringing the message about the positive role that the industry plays in Ireland around the country.
“We will be asking people to support an industry that’s a proud part of our history – but which is also an exciting part of our future.
Events will be held in the run-up to the local and European elections in a number of constituencies and www.SupportYourLocal.ie / https://twitter.com/supporturlocal will act as the online focal point of the campaign,” he concluded.
Regional launches of ‘Support Your Local…’ are taking place in the following locations:
· Tuesday 29 April @ 4.00pm
Cork Launch – The White House Ballincollig, Cork
· Wednesday 30 April @ 4.00pm
Galway Launch – The Earl Inn, Kiltullagh, Athenry, Co Galway
· Thursday 1 May @ 4.00pm
Limerick Launch – Jerry O’Dea’s Bar, Mulgrave Street, Limerick
· Tuesday 6 May @ 4.00pm
Mayo Launch – John J O’Grady’s, North Mall, Westport
· Wednesday 7 May @ 4.00pm
Meath Launch – Ryan’s Bar, Trimgate Street, Navan
· Thursday 8 May
Wexford Launch
· Thursday 15 May @ 4.00pm
Cavan-Monaghan Launch – Squealing Pig, Monaghan Town
· Monday 19 May @ 4.00pm
Kerry Launch – The Laurels, Main Street, Killarney.
In addition, leading figures of the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland have signed an industry-wide pledge to seek to work with Government to play an appropriate role in addressing issues pertaining to the misuse of alcohol.
A copy of Drinks-related employment in Dáil Constituencies 2013 is now available online.
