Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

I will speak to the subtle costs borne by the brave, community-entrenched entrepreneurs of the SME sector. Local craftspeople, farmers, growers and shop owners have symbiotic relationships with local rural and urban communities. I acknowledge previous Government supports during Covid but the impact of restrictions then, which forced so many consumers to go online, can never be repeated. I raise that as a flag for future consideration. Regardless of global opportunities or turbulence the SMEs are the constants in our communities. They are employers and sponsors. They are keeping a look out for older members who may be living alone. When we join the dots and connect everything up, the hauliers connecting the producer with the consumer are the vital cogs in the wheel. I will not go back over what colleagues have said on statistics but we have to enable all of that.

The SMEs in Meath East are offering some suggestions for improvement and providing future opportunity as follows. For example, school books and stationery vouchers were put forward by Forever Amber bookshop in Ratoath. It would dovetail with the school books scheme. The local enterprise offices could strengthen and increase supports to retailers and service sector SMEs. They continuously look for support and shop local campaigns should be year-round. In particular, local authorities and utility companies should co-ordinate road and footpath work and communicate in advance with the SMEs. The impact of unannounced road works, etc., is deleterious for business. There should be provision of adequate and free parking facilities. Finally, there is the irrecoverable impact of Mercosur on farmers. That is threatening food safety, our Irish food security and ultimately public health. The Minister of State has heard plenty on that but those are a few simple suggestions.

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