Fianna Fáil business proposals come up short – Higgins

The business proposals in Fianna Fáil’s manifesto come up short compared to the Fine Gael package and would make very little impact on the real needs of small businesses, a Fine Gael Minister has said.

Emer Higgins, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, said Fine Gael’s business package has three elements to help support the small businesses.

Minister Emer Higgins said:

“Our PRSI rebate scheme for employers applies to 475,000 employees, whether full time or part time, and the benefit related to each worker is €663 for businesses with fewer than 50 staff. This means a business employing 10 workers will benefit by €6,630 and the rebate could be worth as much as €33,150.

“Fianna Fáil’s proposal applies to fewer than half the number of employees and the maximum benefit for employers would be at least €200 less per employee compared to Fine Gael’s policy.

“We have proposed a detailed €4,000 energy grant scheme whereas Fianna Fáil has made a vague commitment to a successor scheme to ICOB.

“Fine Gael has proposed an 11% VAT rate whereas Fianna Fáil has no VAT proposal to help hospitality.

“Fianna Fáil have made much of extending the 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas but the reality is this has no impact on business as the vast majority can claim back the VAT on their energy bills regardless of the rate.

“Fine Gael understands that the small businesses which keep our main streets alive must be helped to survive and thrive. The Fianna Fáil manifesto proposals come up very short compared to our comprehensive package.”