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

I thank the Acting Chairman for the opportunity to speak on this urgent and very important motion on small and medium-sized enterprises, which make a huge contribution to the Irish economy, particularly employment. In the region of 350,000 people are self-employed while 580,000 people work in enterprises with 50 people or less. This is often forgotten about in the broader economic debate. I strongly support these businesses, particularly small businesses in my constituency of Dublin Bay North. I strongly support all businesses on the northside of Dublin. It is essential we get behind them.

I urge the Minister and the Government to implement the six proposals in this motion. I would like to see the introduction of an earned income tax credit for the self-employed on a phased basis that is equal to the PAYE tax credit. I would also like to see the provision on a voluntary basis of a full range of social protection payments, including extending jobseeker's benefit and illness benefit to self-employed PRSI contributors as part of a commitment to foster an entrepreneurial culture and to enhance social solidarity. We also need an extensive information campaign by the Department of Social Protection to highlight the benefits and services available to self-employed people. We need to see the expansion of the role of the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, SBCI, to allow it to lend directly to SMEs and self-employed people with expansion opportunities and we need to incentivise entrepreneurs to set up new businesses by providing relief from capital gains tax. Finally, we need to see the extension of the credit guarantee scheme to assist Irish businesses whose loans are at risk of being sold to investment funds to re-finance at affordable rates.

I urge the Minister and Government to focus on the Cadbury plant in Coolock which is under pressure. We need to protect this plant and these jobs in Coolock. The plant has an excellent workforce that needs our support. I want to see more inter-agency involvement in this excellent factory in Coolock.

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