Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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414. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to introduce initiatives to tackle the rising costs of doing business in Ireland, as a matter of priority and to save jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48130/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the challenges facing SMEs in tackling the costs of doing business in Ireland. My Department is implementing measures to support enterprise, protect jobs, and foster a competitive, sustainable business environment.

As a matter of priority, the Government accelerated the publication of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, which was published last week – 10th September 2025. This plan focuses on strengthening the resilience and international competitiveness of Irish SMEs by addressing business costs, supporting SME scaling, and boosting research, development, and innovation.

The Programme for Government also sought to establish the Cost of Business Advisory Forum which is a commitment in supporting small businesses. The Forum’s key objective is to examine and identify the concerns of enterprise around the impact of the rising cost of doing business in Ireland. The membership comprises SMEs, enterprise and industry representative bodies across a number of sectors. Engagement from state agencies, regulatory bodies and various Government departments ensure there is tripartite collaboration.

The aim over the coming six months is for the Forum to jointly consider issues that can lead to higher costs for businesses at a regional and national level in Ireland. This Forum will focus on topics such as Public Utilities, Energy & Water Costs and Security of Supply, Insurance, Legal Services, Regulation and Planning, Regulation: Reporting and Compliance. The goal of the Forum is to present a report to Government that will outline findings and highlight those steps that could be taken to mitigate issues arising from increased costs or any associated regulatory or infrastructural issues that merit a changed approach.

Recently, a series of measures have been adopted to help minimise cost pressures for Irish firms. These include extending the timeline for the introduction of the Living Wage by three years (to 2029) and a pause on further increases under the Statutory Sick Leave scheme.

Last year’s Budget also provided a range of supports, including those related to the cost of doing business, to ensure that the enterprise tax landscape continues to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, which is vital to enhance productivity.

My Department has introduced targeted financial supports to help sustain enterprise activity and protect jobs. The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme, delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), provides long-term, low-cost loans ranging from €25,000 to €3 million to eligible SMEs, including farmers and fishers. Loans of up to €500,000 are available unsecured, with favourable interest rates and terms of up to 10 years. The scheme targets a minimum of 30% of the lending volume towards environmental sustainability purposes with the aim of encouraging SMEs to take positive actions in support of the climate change agenda. Up to 70% of lending is for strategic investments with a view to increasing productivity and competitiveness and thus underpinning future business sustainability and growth. The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme will operate until 30 June 2026 or until the scheme has been fully subscribed.

Microfinance Ireland plays a critical role in supporting microenterprises by addressing a gap in the lending market, offering loans to businesses that are unable to secure funding from commercial lenders. It provides loans ranging from €2,000 to €50,000 to businesses that fall outside conventional risk criteria, applying interest rates that do not fully reflect the credit risk involved. In addition to financial support, Microfinance Ireland offers post-approval mentoring through the Local Enterprise Office network, helping businesses to grow and create jobs.

I would also like to note that the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), located within the 31 Local Authorities, play an extremely important role at local level, as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing their services direct to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship within towns and communities across the country. Local Enterprise Offices can provide consultancy and grants to small businesses of all sectors, in the areas of Green, Digital and Lean. These grants are focused on providing capital to assist in implementation of recommendations to digitalise or decarbonise a business. These grants will also enhance the productivity and improve the competitiveness of small businesses.

Local Enterprise Offices also provide a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes that are tailored to meet specific business requirements including identifying areas of potential cost saving. Whether it is a new start up or growing an existing business there are programmes that are suitable for anyone exploring self-employment as an option or for those who are currently operating a business and wish to learn more.