Labour costs, expanding technologies and State support feature prominently at Business conference

Labour and insurance costs, new technologies and potential Government interventions were among the main issues discussed at a major business conference this weekend.

Up to 200 people, including business leaders and entrepreneurs, attended Fine Gael’s Small Business and Enterprise conference at TUS Athlone on Saturday.

It was addressed by Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Peter Burke, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister of State with responsibility for Business, Employment and Retail Emer Higgins and Chair of Fine’s Gael Small Business and Enterprise Council Kathryn Lynch.

Minister Peter Burke, who hosted the meeting in his home constituency, said there was immensely important engagement from family businesses and SMEs who provide critical employment and are the backbone of our local economies in rural and regional Ireland.

“It’s clear the cost of doing business has increased significantly for a variety of reasons including inflationary pressures, energy costs and statutory changes including increases to the minimum wage.

“While the Increased Cost of Business grant was welcomed, we know that sustainable changes to the business model are what SMEs want, and what we are committed to implementing.

“In recent years, Irish businesses have faced several unforeseen challenges head on with the impact of a worldwide pandemic quickly followed by increased costs onset by international turmoil. Our businesses have proven themselves to be resilient, adept and fleet-footed when navigating through choppy waters.

“Fine Gael will continue to support and assist our SME sector. Since my appointment as Minister for Enterprise in April, my number one priority has been support for our SMEs, and I am fighting hard to negotiate a pro-SME budget,” Minister Burke said.

Among the topics to feature heavily throughout the event in panel discussions and roundtables were:

1. Cost of doing business – Labour costs and Government interventions specifically
2. Insurance costs
3. Supports from State agencies such as the new National Enterprise Hub
4. The need to adapt to new technologies – Digitising businesses and the future of AI
5. How to help the micro businesses not covered by traditional schemes

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.