Tracey's small business motion passed at FG party meeting

A motion aimed at helping small local businesses, brought forward at the Fine Gael national party meeting on Saturday by Cllr Tracey O'Dwyer, was passed with 'overwhelming' support, writes Brian Byrne.

This follows a recent meeting of local businesses with the Enterprise minister, organised by the councillor, where issues such as PRSI and other cost pressures were raised, especially in the hospitality industry. 

The motion was as follows: That this Ard Fheis acknowledges the multi-billion euro support of local business by Government since the pandemic, recognises the cost pressures certain small businesses are currently experiencing, particularly in the hospitality sector and considers changes to the PRSI system to support small business with the increased costs of employing staff.

"I'm glad to say the motion was passed with overwhelming support and it will now be brought to cabinet," Cllr O'Dwyer said afterwards. "A reduction of VAT was also agreed but that will most likely only be implemented at Budget time."

Small business employers are also concerned about another looming cost, the introduction of auto-enrolment pensions later this year. "Everyone should be contributing to a pension for themselves over and above the state pension," one local employer said. "But how are small or micro businesses meant to sustain matching contributions? Something will have to be sacrificed to fund it."

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