“Fine Gael is standing up for small business and the self-employed”, says Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor

“Fine Gael is the pro-enterprise party and we want to support small businesses to prosper and continue to create jobs, to help meet our target of full employment by 2018. We’re beginning a national conversation with small businesspeople and the self-employed to see how we can work together to take advantage of the potential offered by the economic recovery that is beginning to take hold.

“Central Bank research shows that start-up companies in their first five years of existence account for two thirds of all new jobs created in Ireland. So it is really crucial that we support entrepreneurship and small businesses. In February, five start-ups were created every day in Ireland, an increase of 7% compared to the same time last year.

“We know that despite the progress made, we can do more for small businesses. It is clear that small businesses feel their contribution to the economy is not fully recognised.

“The key issues identified by the small business community include:
· Tax discrepancy between the self-employed and PAYE earners,
· Training and development support, such as mentoring,
· Business succession; easing the transition of business ownership down through the family generations.
· Lack of awareness of existing State supports, including the SME online tool.

“Now all members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party will engage directly with businesses all over Ireland to seek their views the best way for them to realise the potential offered by the recovering economy.

“I have been very encouraged by the Taoiseach’s recent comments in relation to the tax treatment of the self-employed. It’s simply not fair that the self-employed continue to pay more tax than PAYE earners on the same income. This is one of the many legacy issues we inherited from Fianna Fáil and I want to see this addressed in next year’s budget.

“Fine Gael in Government has drastically cut red tape for business and the ‘Supporting SMEs Online Tool’ brings together over 80 Government business supports into one website to help small business navigate and avail of the supports available to them. One of the most important elements of the Action Plan for Jobs is the new mentoring services for start-ups, including a national database of mentors. Mentoring gives entrepreneurs and small businesses an 80% greater chance of success and growth opportunities, and is a crucial ingredient in driving business.

“Fine Gael is standing up for small businesses, an integral part of keeping the high streets in small towns and villages alive and thriving.”

If you would like to discuss further what Government business supports are available, please contact Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD at mary.mitchelloconnor@oir.ie / or her Blackrock Constituency Office at 01 210 9161. Alternatively, please visit https://www.localenterprise.ie/