Local Fianna Fáil Senator Erin McGreehan has raised concern over the ongoing struggles for the SME sector. Ahead of Budget 2025 Senator McGreehan has said that rising costs of trading is putting pressure on many businesses.

Speaking on the matter Senator McGreehan said: “I am very concerned about our SME sector. Rising costs of doing business are putting huge pressure on businesses, and sadly, we have seen locally that restaurants have closed down.”

While Senator McGreehan has acknowledged that support has been provided to the sector, she says we need to go a lot further. A review of the VAT rates, more supports for businesses is necessary, we need to create confidence that the new costs involved in auto-enrolment and sick leave need to be reduced. Employers need to be confident that they can afford to employ people, at the minute in many businesses they are worried about these issues.

“While the ICOB support grant has been widely welcomed, more needs to be done for a sector that is the heart and soul of our local communities.”

“Ahead of Budget 2025, I am asking my party colleague and Minister for Finance Jack Chambers for support for the hospitality sector and service sectors like hair and beauty salons”.

“I hope that in Budget 2025, we review the VAT rates and find ways to support employers as they navigate the new auto-enrolment and sick leave schemes”.

“These businesses are vital to our local economy; they employ local people, buy local products, and support local clubs. We need to support them from a national level now.”

For further information reach out to Erin McGreehan.

ENDS