Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The urban-rural divide in the sector is quite significant. Rural-based SMEs, although likely to employ fewer numbers than SMEs in urban areas, are nevertheless significant employers. We need to look to the future when considering the issues they face. Access to broadband, transport infrastructure, education facilities and further tax-based incentives will be essential in ensuring the future viability of the sector and enabling the future growth that will enable us to recover from this unique pandemic. As the Government prepares the July stimulus, there is very significant weight on the Tánaiste's shoulders in seeking to address the issues facing SMEs and enabling them to recover. Doing so is an essential part of rebooting our economy. I hope the stimulus package will answer the vast majority of our concerns.

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