Licence fees for outdoor dining are to be further waived into 2023, the Housing Minister has said.
Darragh O'Brien said businesses will "save hundreds of euro" as fees for tables and chairs outside hotels, restaurants and pubs are scrapped.
He is seeking Oireachtas approval to continue waiving the fees, which were first introduced in 2021.
The fee is usually priced at €125 per table.
The Department of Housing has said the extension "will assist the hospitality sector this year by reducing the cost for maintaining outdoor dining in public spaces."
Similar to previous years there will also be no fee for awnings, canopies and heaters used in conjunction with the tables and chairs.
Outdoor dining on Dublin's Capel Street in June 2021. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ieMinister O’Brien said this will help smaller businesses.
"The outdoor dining experience has been incredibly popular with the public," he said.
"For a small café or restaurant this fee can represent another financial burden and hospitality businesses still need our help, so I am delighted to extend the provisions of these regulations for another year," he added.
Minister O'Brien is also seeking amendments to ease the way for Reverse Vending Machines, as part of the Government's new Deposit and Return Scheme for bottles.
The scheme charges those who buy a drink a small deposit for the plastic bottle or can, which customers can get when they return the container to a retailer or collection point.
He is seeking changes to the existing planning and development regulations to provide an exemption for the installation, alteration, repair or replacement of the Reverse Vending Machines.
