A North Cork pub is urging Ireland’s hospitality sector to adopt smartphone screen technology that converts complex tasks into visual and audio cues, helping to fill vacant roles while supporting workers with intellectual disabilities.
The Bottom Line
- Employment Gaps: Ireland’s overall disability employment rate stands at 32.6%, while the rate for individuals with intellectual disabilities drops to 17%.
- Technology Deployment: The AssistiV app currently supports 23 hospitality roles and 25 positions in other industries, with targets to reach 1,000 users by 2030.
- Operational Efficiency: Geary’s bar reports that setting up the system has streamlined onboarding and accelerated training schedules for all new staff.
Digital Integration at Geary’s Bar
Geary’s bar in Charleville has teamed up with accessible technology firm AssistiV to integrate screen-based software into daily floor operations. The platform assists 25-year-old team member David Mullins by translating order-taking, table waiting, and customer service tasks into digestible prompts. Mr Mullins works alongside colleagues including Republic of Ireland women’s under-19 football captain Katie Lawlee.
The technology removes barriers related to literacy, numeracy, and workplace confidence. Mr Mullins is a graduate of Heineken Ireland’s Ahhh-cademy trade quality programme and has received support from St. Joseph’s Foundation in Charleville since 2023.
“My job has given me so much confidence and independence. I love sport, so working in Geary’s is brilliant because it’s such a big part of the bar. I really enjoy welcoming customers, talking about the matches and being part of the team here,” David Mullins said.
Widening Labor Market Demographics
According to data cited from Inclusion Ireland, the country maintains one of the lowest rates of employment for disabled people in Europe at 32.6%, a figure that contracts further to 17% for individuals with intellectual disabilities. AssistiV, in partnership with Heineken Ireland, is attempting to combat these figures while addressing high vacancy levels across the hospitality sector.
AssistiV Ireland account manager Brian O'Leary stated that the firm aims to build a fairer employment market and demonstrate that inclusive hiring is practical and rewarding. The technology vendor plans to scale operations nationwide to reach 1,000 active users by 2030.
| Metric Category | Data Point | Source Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Disability Employment Rate (Ireland) | 32.6% | Inclusion Ireland |
| Intellectual Disability Employment Rate | 17.0% | Inclusion Ireland |
| AssistiV Hospitality Roles Supported | 23 positions | AssistiV Ireland |
| AssistiV Other Sector Roles | 25 positions | AssistiV Ireland |
| Target User Base by 2030 | 1,000 users | AssistiV Ireland |
Operational Shifts for Hospitality Management
Beyond individual inclusion metrics, the implementation of assistive software has altered internal management practices at participating venues. Corina Gough, general manager of Geary’s, explained that the structural adjustments required to deploy the app delivered unexpected operational benefits across the broader business.
“AssistiV’s technology has been instrumental in supporting David to work with greater independence. It has also transformed how we run our business. The learnings we’ve taken from setting up the system have enabled us to streamline training for all new staff and help them get up to speed much faster,” Corina Gough noted. Ms Gough
Following these operational gains, management at Geary’s is actively calling on competing bars and restaurants to evaluate similar digital adaptations. Whether broader industry adoption will accelerate quickly enough to close persistent staffing deficits across the sector is still uncertain as AssistiV pursues its 2030 scaling targets.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
