SFA calls for urgency in supporting small businesses as it launches policy priorities ahead of the elections

Last week, the Small Firms Association published its policy priorities document ahead of the forthcoming Local / European Elections. The SFA also noted that forty three percent of private sector employees in Ireland work in companies employing fewer than fifty employees, according to the most up-to-date data from the Central Statistics Office.

The policy document focusses on four key pillars aimed at creating better conductions for businesses to survive and grow. They are, tackling business costs, easing the tax burden, upskilling for the 21st Century and enabling prosperity through better national infrastructure.

Among the key request for the new administration are the introduction of a PRSI rebate to assist small businesses with the transition towards the Living Wage rates. Furthermore, the SFA calling for a reduction in Capital Gains Tax rate from 33 percent to 20 percent and wants a introduce a National Training Voucher Scheme, which has the potential to boost in-company training and widen participation in upskilling and reskilling employees.

The SFA issued a media released with the report and where David Broderick stated that many small and viable businesses are struggling to manage costs arising from high energy costs, supply chain challenges and fluctuating commodity prices.

The report and media release received substantial media coverage including an interview with David Broderick on Newstalk, a reference to the report on Morning Ireland, a report in the Irish Independent, an op-ed in the Irish Examiner and plenty of print and broadcast media coverage.

For questions on SFA Policy Priorities, please contact SFA Public Affairs Lead, Jonathan McDade - jonathan.mcdade@sfa.ie.