Minister of State for Small Business, Mr John Perry TD today presented the Taoiseach Mr Enda Kenny TD with the Report of the Advisory Group for Small Business entitled “The Voice of Small Business – A Plan for Action”.
The group was formed in June with the goal to identify five Priority Actions on which immediate implementation can be commenced upon completion of the report.
With the vast array of issues affecting small business, the group, chaired by Minister Perry contends that not enough is being done to address the root of the problem and to deliver the structural reforms needed.
Some of the key areas for action and reform in the report include: access to finance, labour market costs, local authority structures, costs associated with running a business, access to public procurement and problems associated with the hidden economy.
Minister Perry said “there are very good, practical and pragmatic ideas which aim to address immediate barriers and to set the scene for growth and job creation. Small firms are regionally spread, they create employment locally, contribute to building a community, and enhance a location’s attractiveness as a place in which to live and do business.”
An Inter-Departmental Liaison Group has also been established to pursue those recommendations of the Group which require cross-Government implementation.