Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the work of the new small business unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62079/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Small Business Unit has been established in my Department, fulfilling a Programme for Government commitment. This demonstrates the importance that the Government places on small businesses.

The Unit has been tasked with ensuring that the needs and issues of small businesses have a dedicated focus and are recognised and acknowledged across Government. There are a number of tools this Unit and my Department will use to enable its work.

First, through the rigorous implementation of the SME Test. The SME Test tasks policy makers to consider the impact that any new policy, legislation, or regulation, may have on SMEs, and to mitigate against those impacts where appropriate.

In 2024, 26 SME Tests were applied by 8 Government Departments. So far in 2025, 22 SME Tests have been completed. Both the Small Business Unit and I are very keen for this number to grow every year and we are looking at new ways to improve enforcement of the SME Test.

Second, we have simplified access to grants and support programmes through the National Enterprise Hub. The NEH is hosted and operated by Enterprise Ireland and has over 250 different supports for businesses from 32 Departments and agencies.

Since launching last year, the NEH has handled over 8,000 enquiries. Monthly volumes have grown steadily, with over 1000 queries received in October alone, more than triple the number recorded in January. My Department is working on how to improve the NEH further with a greater emphasis on simplification.

Third, the newly established Small Business Unit has responsibility for the Local Enterprise Offices. We are ensuring the LEOs are properly resourced to help small businesses. A review of the full suite of LEO supports is currently out for tender while the Small Business Unit has completed a review of applications for all LEO grant schemes.

This review has resulted in a reduction of application questions across all schemes - for example down 47% for Business Expansion Grants, down 30% for the Green for Business Grant and down 28% for the Feasibility Grant, with further reductions targeted.

In addition to the Small Business Unit, my Department established the Cost of Business Advisory Forum delivering on our commitment regarding supports for Small Business, Enterprise and Industries.

The Forum brings together a broad section representative bodies spanning multiple sectors as well as the multinational corporations. 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. The Forum is scheduled to report to Government in Q1 2026.

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.