Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

The problem is that the Minister of State's response is that what the Government is doing is in the plan. However, the reality is that for many small and medium sized business on the ground life is still incredibly difficult. Despite the list of initiatives listed by the Minister of State they are still struggling. It is not good enough that some of these initiatives are only coming on stream two and a half years into the lifetime of this Government.

There are 408 rateable properties in Swords, which is in my constituency. Some 120 of them are empty. One of the key pressures on small businesses is that of council rates. Councils are also under considerable pressure because of the precarious nature of Government funding. In many instances, the pressure being put on small businesses to pay rates is driving them out of business, leading to premises lying idle. I have not seen anything from Government to address this scenario.

Businesses are also being squeezed in other ways. I am currently dealing with a case involving a medium sized sub-contractor who has done work for a major construction company that has a contract with a local authority. The main company concerned, SIAC Construction, has been paid by the local authority but refuses to pay the sub-contractor who is a small to medium sized business providing employment. Main contractors who engage in the sweating of sub-contractors in order to get a lower price should be prevented by Government from accessing any future public contracts. This type of behaviour is jeopardising employment in the small and medium sized sector.

See this speech in context