Wexford Publicans Urged to Support Draft Rebate Push Ahead of Budget 2026

As the Government prepares Budget 2026, the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) is calling for urgent support to help rural pubs survive.

Speaking on Morning Mix earlier, VFI President Michael O’Donovan is urging the Government to introduce a draft excise rebate scheme, which would return 40% of the excise paid on kegs of draft beer to publicans the following year. With rural Ireland facing ongoing pub closures, O'Donovan highlighted the critical role pubs play in local life, often serving as the last remaining social hub in areas that have already lost shops, post offices and Garda stations. Rising costs, from staff wages to cleaning products, combined with static pint prices, are making traditional pubs increasingly unsustainable. In County Wexford, the situation mirrors national trends. Closures continue and even events like the recent Fleadh Cheoil Festival in Wexford Town, while providing temporary boosts, cannot sustain businesses year-round