Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not often get to talk about business but I am delighted to be here. I come from a long line of small farmers and shopkeepers so I have an appreciation of that sector. I was delighted to hear Mr. Walsh and Ms O'Toole kicking off the discussion. It is particularly commendable that they located their businesses near where they live. I also congratulate Senator Ó Céidigh on making us focus on this important issue. The striking statistic is that 70% of people in the country work for small and medium sized enterprises, SMEs. It is an absolute priority that we do everything we can to support the kind of businesses that Mr. Walsh and Ms O'Toole have stuck their necks out to create.

I also listened to the Minister of State's contribution and I thank him for sharing his time with us. He mentioned a serious of measures, including a three-year start-up relief, research and development tax credits, income tax incentives, the employment and investment incentive, EII, scheme, the start-up refunds for entrepreneurs, SURE, scheme and the key employee engagement programme, KEEP. The panellists are sitting beside the Minister of State, which presents them with a great opportunity. As small business entrepreneurs, what do they think of these measures? Have they benefitted from them? Are they SME-friendly? From the point of view of those on the front line, are there ways in which these measures could be improved? Do they work? While it is heartening that these measures are in place, could other measures be introduced and do our guests have any specific proposals to address the concerns they have raised? Would they like the committee to include any specific measures in our report?

What measures is the Minister of State taking to encourage women in business? I know many women with small children who go back to work find that the inflexibility of adapting to the workforce motivates them to combine work and family life by running a business. Is the Department considering specific measures in that regard? Are there any measures that Ms O'Toole and Mr. Walsh, who I am sure needs women in his business, would like the Minister of State to take or that we should include in our report?