Cowen calls for supports to lessen cost of business

Barry Cowen TD, the Fianna Fáil candidate in the European Elections for the Midlands North West, has called for supports to tackle the cost of business.

Deputy Cowen insists SMEs are suffering, yet just over half of businesses eligible for the €257 million Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) scheme applied for a one-off grant payment before last week’s deadline.

Deputy Cowen said: “I’ve been meeting with business owners across the Midlands North West constituency, and they all share the same concerns over the increased cost of business.

“These businesses are the lifeblood of towns and villages, and from talking to business owners on the main streets of these towns, like Ardee and Naas last week, and Athboy this week, it’s clear to me that small businesses are suffering.

“Although business is up, the cost of doing business is crippling far too many, and the Government needs to look at more support schemes that can significantly help struggling owners.

“It’s a perfect storm right now due to increased minimum wage, the auto-enrolment pension scheme and the energy crisis. These businesses are the backbone of communities and they are fighting for survival. More targeted help is required.

“Firstly, I’m calling for an extension to the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) scheme, and for the application to be simplified, while an awareness campaign is clearly necessary.

“Just over half of the more than 120,000 eligible businesses applied for a scheme designed to help with rising costs before the deadline expired last week. We need to be sure of the reasons behind why so many did not apply for the grant, and work out what can be done to support them.

“Fianna Fáil has also committed to reforming employers’ PRSI to lessen the cost of business, in addition to increasing the energy efficiency grant for businesses, and embedding and SME test in all policy decisions across government.”

-Ends-