Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Small and Medium Enterprises

Photo of Eoghan KennyEoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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878. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update as of July 2025 on the programme for Government commitment to conduct a comprehensive review to assess the cost structures for SME and family-owned businesses to identify areas where costs can be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41003/25]

Photo of Alan DillonAlan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government 2025 sets out a number of commitments to support SMEs.

One of these commitments is to establish a Cost of Business Advisory Forum. The first meeting of the Forum took place on the 11th of June where numerous organisations representing the Ireland’s enterprise sector were joined by officials from a variety of State Agencies and Government Departments. The second meeting – which was the Forum’s first thematic meeting – took place on Wednesday, 23rd July and focused on Energy Costs and Security of Supply.

The Forum is tripartite collaboration bringing together a broad section of enterprise representative organisations – spanning multiple sectors such as retail, tourism, agriculture and the multinational corporations we have welcomed to our shores – alongside Government Departments, Regulators, and other State Agencies. The purpose is to jointly consider those issues that can lead to higher costs for businesses in Ireland, any associated regulatory or infrastructural issues that merit a changed approach, and those steps that could be taken to mitigate these issues.

It is anticipated that the Forum will meet regularly over the coming six months with each meeting devoted to a distinct thematic area of concern to businesses, including business costs, infrastructure, and regulation.

This Government is committed to backing small and medium businesses and will continue to work closely with small businesses, including family-owned businesses, through our enterprise development agencies to support their growth, help them to find new markets, create jobs and take on the twin challenges of decarbonisation and digitalisation.

The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), located within the 31 Local Authorities, have a key role to play in this as the first stop shop for small businesses in Ireland. The LEOs promote entrepreneurship, foster start-ups, develop businesses, drive job creation and provide accessible high-quality supports for small businesses within their Local Authority areas.

To assist small and medium enterprises to tackle the rising cost of doing business the LEOs provide consultancy and grants to small businesses of all sectors in the areas of Lean, Green, and Digital. These supports focus on enhancing productivity and improving competitiveness in small businesses. Effective and efficient use of materials and resources can make a significant impact on the costs for businesses.

To assist businesses, in navigating these and over 250 other supports provided by 30 Government Bodies, I launched the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) last year. The NEH is an all-of-government free service, staffed by expertly trained advisers and is focused on helping business owners access the wide range of government supports.

Let me assure the Deputy that the Government and my Department are committed to backing businesses and will ensure the actions aimed at supporting small businesses in the Programme for Government are implemented in an effective and timely manner.

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