The Small Firms Association (SFA) and the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) have both welcomed Peter Burke's reappointment as Minister for the reconfigured Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Burke replaced the retiring Simon Coveney in the role last April and will continue as enterprise minister in the new government, confirmation of which was delayed until Thursday following rancorous scenes in the Dáil on Wednesday.
In a statement, the SFA congratulated Burke and expressed confidence that he will "continue his positive collaboration with the small business community in the months and years to come."
The representative body for businesses employing up to 50 people has been encouraged by some measures in the Programme for Government such as the establishment of a small business unit within the Department of Enterprise.
The SFA was also heartened by the commitment to publish Enterprise 2035, which is a long-term ambition for enterprise growth and job creation over the coming decade, and the commitment to changing the PRSI tax system.
Reacting to Burke's appointment, SFA director David Broderick said the organisation was eager to build on the positive engagements that it has had with him and his team in the past year.
"I am especially pleased that in his Dáil speech [on Thursday], An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has responded to the SFA’s request to develop a roadmap for long-term stability of small businesses.
"It is also encouraging that he sees this commitment as an early priority which will include extensive consultation which the SFA is more than happy to be a part of.
“Much of the small business sector is struggling with spiralling business costs in recent years.
"With the National Minimum Wage increasing again in January, and with the incoming introduction of auto-enrolment, many businesses will be facing difficult decisions to ensure viability over the next few months.
"This is why the SFA is calling for a temporary PRSI rebate for small businesses be put in place a soon as possible.”
IHF president Michael Magner highlighted that Burke is also taking up the tourism portfolio and what is "a critical junction for the industry, with businesses facing enormous pressure in relation to ever-increasing operating costs."
“With the right policies in place, we believe that tourism and hospitality has a bright future ahead,” he continued.
“Minister Burke will have a pivotal role to play in creating a positive business environment for enterprises throughout our sector and ensuring tourism remains at the heart of government economic policy.
"This will require a shift in mindset over the next five years to put our industry on a more stable footing.”
In response to the addition of Tourism to the Department of Enterprise, Magner said it was "a very welcome development" that would facilitate a more joined-up and coherent approach to best support tourism businesses.
"It will also ensure a greater focus on creating the optimum conditions for business viability and maximising our potential as a key driver of growth and prosperity.”
He also welcomed the commitments to support SMEs in hospitality such as a planned permanent VAT rate reduction, which he said would "greatly assist the many vulnerable food-led businesses that have faced an uncertain future and mounting cost challenges in recent years.”
Finally, Magner thanked the outgoing Minister for Tourism, Catherine Martin, for her commitment to the industry through the pandemic and during her tenure, describing her as a strong voice in support of tourism at the cabinet table.
Photo: Peter Burke. (Pic: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie)
