Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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369. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has received reports of independent retailers facing closures in Cork city in 2024 to 2025 due to rising insurance costs, crime, or employment pressures; and if any supports are being considered. [51156/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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370. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has assessed the number of small retail closures in Cork city centre in 2024-2025; and the supports planned to address rising insurance and energy costs. [51172/25]

Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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377. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has assessed the number of small retail closures in Cork city centre in 2024 and to date in 2025; and the supports that are planned to address rising insurance and energy costs. [51645/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 369, 370 and 377 together.

The Programme for Government is clear on the intention to support small businesses and I am aware of the issues facing retailers across the country.

The establishment of the Small Business Unit within my Department is a recognition of the importance that the Government places on small businesses. We have simplified access to grants and support programmes through the National Enterprise Hub and are ensuring the Local Enterprise Offices are properly resourced to help small businesses.

There are currently a broad range of supports for the retail sector, including training programmes and funding, to help retailers adapt to new challenges and opportunities in retail that can be found on the National Enterprise Hub. Two such supports are the Energy Efficiency Grant which now offers grant assistance of up to a maximum of €10,000 and the Grow Digital Voucher which offers up to €5,000. The Green for Business and the Digital Business schemes are also open to small businesses across all sectors at no cost to the businesses themselves.

In 2024, the Government introduced the Power Up grant and Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) scheme which paid out over €400 million to businesses right across the country. Included in this was a second ICOB payment and €4,000 Power Up grant for businesses in the retail sector.

The Cost of Business Advisory Forum, a Programme for Government commitment, comprises of SME & Industry representative organisations, Regulatory/State Bodies and Government Departments who will jointly consider issues that can lead to higher costs for businesses at a regional and national level in Ireland. The Forum held its inaugural meeting in June; and examined Energy Costs and the Security of Supply in July’s meeting. At present, the Cost of Business Advisory Forum is focusing on a review of feedback from the September’s meeting on insurance costs, which was well attended by Forum Members and stakeholders across different areas. The remainder of 2025 and early 2026 meetings will examine, Regulatory Burden, Planning, and Infrastructural Delivery. Water Costs, Legal Services and Reporting and Compliance. The final objective of the Forum is to present a report to Government in late Q1 2026, that will outline its findings and highlight those steps that can be taken to mitigate issues arising from increased costs or any associated regulatory or infrastructural issues that merit a changed approach.

The Programme for Government also commits to publishing a Retail Crime Strategy with targeted actions to reduce retail crime and support affected businesses. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has commenced preparation of this Strategy.