Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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5. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to provide an update on the work of the cost of business advisory forum. [33467/25]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I thank Deputy Gibney for accommodating me. I did not have an opportunity before Question Time began to ask her to do so.

I am seeking an update on the newly established and hugely important cost of business advisory forum, which met recently for the first time. Costs in general are spiralling, with the cost of energy being one of the major difficulties reported by the SME sector. I am pleased that ESB and EirGrid are members of the forum. Will the Minister confirm whether they have indicated any reductions in the cost of energy?

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I convened the inaugural meeting of the cost of business advisory forum on 11 June 2025. In my opening remarks, I shared my vision and expectation that the forum would "create a space where businesses can speak directly to decision-makers about the real-world impact of rules and charges, and identify areas where practical changes can be made". The establishment of the forum delivers on a key commitment in the programme for Government. The forum is a subgroup of my Department's enterprise forum. I was pleased to appoint Mr. Kevin Foley as its chair and Mr. Ronan Byrne as vice chair.

The forum presents a unique opportunity for tripartite engagement, with Departments and regulators hearing directly from business owners and representatives. I was very encouraged to see a strong turnout at the first meeting and diverse representation from enterprise bodies across retail, tourism, agriculture, small businesses and the multinational sector. At the meeting, the chair outlined the forum's operational approach and its terms of reference were formally adopted. To set the scene, presentations were delivered by my officials on Ireland's economic landscape and by IBEC on the theme of regulatory ambition.

The forum's purpose is to examine the factors contributing to the rising cost of doing business in Ireland, including regulatory and infrastructural challenges that may require a sharper focus and a revised approach. It will identify practical steps to help to reduce those costs. To assist with its review, the forum will hold a series of follow-up thematic meetings on topics such as regulatory cost and simplification, planning and Infrastructure, technology and innovation, visas and work permits, and utility costs. This is not an exhaustive list. It will develop with input from stakeholders as the engagement process continues over the coming six months.

A high level of engagement is not only welcomed but is strongly encouraged through the forum and also via the public consultation methodology, which is now live on my Department's webpage. Members of the public, as well as all participants in the enterprise forum and retail forum, are invited to contribute to the consultation. Submissions are open until 20 June.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I am specifically interested in the outcomes from the sector meetings. Can the Minister confirm whether there have been any indications of a reduction in energy prices? The cost of energy is huge for businesses, with many owners telling me their energy costs are greater than their wage bill. We must do something about that. I am also keen to know whether there has been any discussion about the cost savings utility providers have made being passed on to consumers.

Working people are being absolutely crucified by the cost of groceries and the cost of living in general. There is a strong perception that the cost of basic groceries has risen by a greater margin than the rise in the consumer price index. Recent media reports suggest that over the past four years, the price of a basket of groceries has risen by approximately 36%, while the consumer price index rose by 21% over the same period. Figures released earlier this month by a grocery data firm show the price of a weekly shop is rising by more than double the general rate of inflation.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The key area on which the forum will focus is the cost of regulation and trying to make things more efficient and easier for our small family businesses. I always point out that many of these businesses do not have a HR director or finance director; all their work is done around the kitchen table, trying to vindicate all the efforts they put towards employing two thirds of workers right across the country. That is why it is key that all the regulators, who make so many decisions, are involved. We need to look at the interoperability of those decisions with the decisions of other regulators and what costs that puts on businesses.

Critically, we have to achieve outputs. We must see how we can make changes, with the forum being a key accelerator in that regard to ensure we are doing things in a simpler manner. The Government is very much focused on that. As I said, we are at record levels of employment but there are challenges. I am more aware than most of the challenges in terms of the costs facing our family businesses. I have demonstrated what we are doing about this.

July will be a very important month for our competitive action plan. We will also establish our small business unit, and we have our cost of business advisory forum.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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Many business owners barely have a wage at the end of the week by the time they have paid all of the costs of doing business. This did not begin today or yesterday. Many businesses tell us they are under threat of closure. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, is represented on the forum. I welcome that. The remit of the commission has expanded in recent years, particularly in light of EU legislation aimed at strengthening consumer protections and ensuring fairness in digital and online markets. Is the Minister aware of the high rate of vacancies at the CCPC? As of 9 June 2025, the CCPC had 33 vacancies across various roles. Does he have a plan to recruit these essential staff to ensure consumers are adequately protected and that there is no danger of price gouging in the major supermarkets? People's food bills have risen significantly. It is vital that the public are reassured that no underhand tactics are at play here. The CCPC must be fully staffed.

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The CCPC is a very important independent agency. The Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, is working very closely with the organisation on inflation in grocery prices.

With regard to vacancies, there has been a challenge with recruitment. The budget is there. There has been a significant increase in budgetary capabilities for the CCPC but it is a very competitive landscape and the recruitment process is very difficult. We are doing all we can to fill those vacancies. This is one of the areas that was raised with me by the head of the CCPC when I met him a number of weeks ago. We will ensure that it has the resources needed to grow. Over the past decade, the CCPC has grown exponentially. As a result of European laws and responsibilities, Ireland now has an outsized role in the regulatory environment. It is very important that the organisation is resourced. The cost of business advisory forum will bring all of those key agencies, from the Revenue Commissioners to the CCPC and An Bord Pleanála, into the same room. It is critical that we see how we, as a country, can make things simpler for our businesses.