Small Firms Association encouraged by commitments in Programme for Government
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have formed a Government with a range of Independent TDs. The main parties are the same, but the all the Ministerial posts have changed, with the exception of Peter Burke, TD who retained his position as the Minister for Enterprise and Employment. The tourism portfolio has now replaced trade within that department. The SFA welcomed the reappointment of Minister Burke, and it hopes to continue positive collaboration with him in the months and years to come.
During the General Election, the SFA had called for a long-term roadmap to assist the further development of small business community. In response, the Government has agreed to establish a long-term strategy for SMEs, which was referenced by new Taoiseach Micheál Martin in a speech in the Dáil last week.
The SFA also called for measures to tackle rising costs in the short-term. As a result, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish a ‘cost of business’ unit in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism & Employment and has commitments to change PRSI and VAT rates.
Reacting to the formation of the new Government, SFA Director David Broderick welcomed the proposals but also said:
“Much of the small business sector is struggling with spiralling business costs in recent years. With the National Minimum Wage increasing again in January, and with the incoming introduction of Auto-enrolment, many businesses will be facing difficult decisions to ensure viability over the next few months.”
We invite SFA Members to attend the SFA Policy Briefing on the Programme for Government on the 30th of January at 3PM. Details of the programme for government can be found here.
For questions on this topic, please contact SFA Public Affairs Lead, Jonathan McDade - Tel: 01 605 1688 or Email: jonathan.mcdade@sfa.ie.