Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the previous speakers. I have met many small business owners in County Carlow. Their businesses are barely surviving. Grants are becoming a huge issue. Their outgoings are so much. We all welcome the living wage, the PRSI and all the different sick leave we are now looking at. It is important because people are living longer and it is important they are having a good quality of life, but small businesses, including cafés, restaurants and hairdressers are finding it very hard to survive. We need to do something to support small businesses that are under pressure. There is no doubt that these are the ones that are going to close if we do not put in extra supports. We should get the information and the supports to them quickly and do what we can to support them. Many small businesses are struggling. The Minister of State is committed to it, but we need to help and give them support.

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