Government Needs to Step Up and Support SMEs [Video]

With mass closures of food outlets across the country, Adrian Cummins of the Restaurants Association of Ireland outlines the measures he’d like to see introduced in Budget 2025

We often hear that small businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, are the beating heart of both Ireland’s economy and its communities.

Or provide social outlets where we meet, celebrate, mourn and connect.

They offer vital employment in rural and regional areas, where job opportunities can be otherwise scarce.

According to the Central Statistics Office, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) account for over 99% of all businesses in Ireland and provide almost 70% of total employment.

In the hospitality sector — which I represent — small, independent restaurants, pubs and cafés play a crucial role in many communities across the country, particularly in tourist-dependent areas where they are the only show in town.

In addition to the significance of Ireland’s SMEsto our economy and communities, there has also been much commentary recently about the …