Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome some of the measures the Minister has announced. He has said 70% of people are employed in the small business sector. That is very important and many are not aware of this fact. Despite some of the improvements and offers in respect of tax and PRSI and supports for small business, does the Minister accept that there are still huge problems in the small business sector, particularly in my constituency, Dublin Bay North? We see small businesses that are struggling with job losses, high rents, high rates and access to credit. All of these issues cause them major grief. Does the Minister have any other new creative idea to assist these businesses? Will he have a strong word with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, on the issue? I feel very strongly that he needs to up his game on job creation and in supporting small businesses on the northside of Dublin. In the run-up to the budget will he consider retaining the VAT rate at 9% for restaurants because there is potential in the next 18 months to create in the region of 2,000 jobs? That is a practical measure to help small businesses.

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