Fine Gael conference to hear views of businesses ahead of Budget 2025

The role of small and medium sized businesses and challenges facing them ahead of Budget 2025 will be the focus of a major conference this weekend.

Fine Gael will hold its third Small Business and Enterprise Conference in the Douglas Hyde Theatre, TUS, Athlone on Saturday September 21^st.

Ministers Paschal Donohoe, Peter Burke and Emer Higgins along with prominent speakers from enterprise and business.

This is the third year the party has held such a conference, and previous events have proved extremely popular with the business community, members, and the public. The party’s Small Business and Enterprise Council was established in 2022 and engages and listens to the views of businesspeople across the country on an ongoing basis.

The SME sector is the backbone of the Irish economy, employing over two-thirds over workers in the country.

Fine Gael in government has introduced a package of supports for SMEs in recent months, with the Increased Cost of Business grant supporting over 80,000 businesses. A total of €226m has been paid out as a targeted measure to those that need it most with a double payment issued to retail and hospitality businesses.

Other supports introduced included a doubling of the Innovation Grant Scheme, an increased Energy Efficiency Grant Scheme, a widened and doubled Trading Online Voucher, a new National Enterprise Hub, increased employer PRSI threshold and more.

The implementation of an enhanced ‘SME test’ by Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment in conjunction with the Department of Taoiseach will help ensure well intentioned measures to not have an adverse impact on SMEs.

The conference will focus on key areas such as starting, scaling or planning for sale, balancing employment and financial viability, and will provide an opportunity for businesses to engage directly with key Ministers in advance of the Budget.

Minister Paschal Donohoe said: “Fine Gael has always supported and recognised the valuable role SMEs play in the Irish economy, and we understand the challenges they have faced over the past number of years.

“Throughout the difficult periods of Brexit, Covid, and the energy crisis, Fine Gael in government has worked closely with the sector to ensure their continued success, both domestically and internationally.

“Saturday’s conference will provide the opportunity to discuss how we can further assist SMEs through budgetary and policy measures, to support them to build upon their immense contribution to Irish communities.” 

Minister Peter Burke said:

“Since becoming Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment I have introduced a package of measures to support the SME sector, who are the lifeblood of the Irish economy, employing two thirds of all workers in the country.

“One of the most important aspects of my role as Minister is to listen to the views of our SMEs and family-businesses and this conference is a great opportunity to hear from businesses from a wide range of industries from different locations.

“With Fine Gael in government, Ireland has reached full employment, with record levels of people at work, record levels of job creation outside of Dublin, and record levels of female participation in the workforce.

“Fine Gael will continue to give our full backing to the SME sector, and we will not be found wanting in our support for businesses, in Budget 2025 and beyond.

Minister Emer Higgins said: “Small and medium businesses are the heartbeat of our economy.

“Fine Gael, the party of small businesses, this weekend hosts our 3rd SME Conference.

“This is an opportunity for businesspeople to engage directly with Ministers and use their experience and expertise to shape Government policy.

“Running a business isn’t easy but accessing support should be. That’s why as Minister, I’m putting a clear focus on removing red tape to give businesses easier access to better support that enables them to thrive.”

Kathryn Lynch, Chair of the Fine Gael Small Business and Enterprise Council, said: “Starting, running and scaling a small business in Ireland brings both challenges and opportunities for the people who take the risk to do it – no more so than in the past few years, with some sectors particularly impacted by global events and changes in legislation.

“We want Irish SMEs to overcome those challenges and thrive. They are vital for our communities and our economy.

“The Athlone event will offer businesses the opportunity to engage directly with senior Government Ministers, elected representatives and other SMEs to discuss the key issues and opportunities facing your business and hear more on how your voice influences policy change and future planning for enterprise in Ireland,” Ms Lynch said.