25,500 new jobs in 2019

Small firms predicted to create 25,500 jobs in 2019

The Small Firms Association (SFA) believes a national Small Business Strategy would be a shot in the arm for Ireland’s SMEs, helping to create an additional 25,500 new jobs in 2019.

That’s according to new SFA research which believes Ireland’s 245,000-plus small businesses can help to breathe new life into towns and villages nationwide and reinvigorate the Irish economy.

Forecast economic growth for Ireland in 2019 is said to be around 4.5%, which many SFA members see as a significant opportunity to grow their business in the next 12 months – despite the external economic turbulence.

Two-thirds of all SFA members anticipate hiring more staff in 2019 and the SFA is calling on the government to develop and initiate a Small Business Strategy across all regions in Ireland.

The SFA believes if the government gave as much energy and strategic focus on Ireland’s small business community as it does to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), the national economy would be far better for it.

Sue O’Neill, chair of the SFA, also called on the EU and UK governments to provide as much certainty as quickly as possible regarding the UK’s withdrawal agreement to give small business owners even greater confidence to invest in their businesses.

 “In the run-up to [the UK’s departure from the European Union] it is to be expected that small firms will be more cautious regarding investment decisions until there is more certainty of what the final relationship between the EU and UK will look like,” said O’Neill.

“The SFA urges the EU and UK government to make every effort for a decision on the [UK’s] withdrawal agreement.

“While a ‘no-deal’ outcome remains unlikely, the SFA calls on the Irish Government to step up preparedness planning by putting in additional measures to support small firms respond to such an outcome.”

Date published 11 Jan 2019 | Last updated 11 Jan 2019