Tackle costs to aid new job creation

WHILE the most recent monthly unemployment figures released show unemployment figures have dropped small business lobby ISME says much more could be done to reduce the unemployment figures.

The CSO figures confirm that 168,800 people are still signing on and the standardised unemployment rate is at 7.7 per cent for October, while youth unemployment is at 15.1 per cent.

Commenting on the figures ISME, CEO, Neil McDonnell said significant jobs growth won’t occur until the Government tackle the high costs still facing many businesses.

“Jobs growth will be slow as long as Government controlled costs continue to increase,” he said.

“Our latest research results on insurance show 91 per cent of respondents have experienced increases in their insurance premiums by as much as 40 per cent; such increases will impact negatively on the SME sector,” said Mr McDonnell.

“These excessive premiums are totally out of kilter with EU averages; such costs are unsustainable for SMEs and are undermining the potential for growth, “he said.

The Association has called on Government to reduce government influenced business costs to below the EU average; target capital investment in job rich infrastructure; encourage entrepreneurs through the tax system and ensure real measurable access to credit for viable SMEs.

They also want to see the State outsource more state sector services to SMEs. and reform the social welfare system to make it more profitable to work, and avoid poverty traps.

“This Government needs to tackle state controlled costs, until such a time, we will continue to see only marginal reductions in the numbers unemployed,” Mr McDonnell said.

Brian Looney and Colm Cooper from Dr Crokes with Sean Healy, AIB Regional Director launch AIB’s new GAA Club Reward Scheme at Dr Croke’s grounds in Killarney.