In addition to its services to members, one of ISME's major roles is to continually raise a wide range of issues relating to business competitiveness directly with Government Departments, Institutions and the Media.

ISME Chairman and CEO Appointed to Small Business Advisory Group

ISME Chairman, John Ryan and Chief Executive, Mark Fielding pictured with Taoiseacht Enda Kenny & Minister for Small Business, John Perry at the first meeting of the Small Business Advisory Group on 16th June 2011.

ISME's Pre-Budget 2012 Submission

Click here for the full pdf of the ISME Pre-Budget 2012 Submission

ISME's Achievements from Lobbying

ISME successfully lobbied for the introduction of the Employment Subsidy Scheme and the Employers PRSI Exemption scheme to assist companies in retaining employment.
ISME successfully lobbied for the introduction of a banking code of practices and the Credit Review Office.
Secured changes to the Public Procurement process to make it more accessible to SMEs.
ISME was also instrumental in securing the right of offset for delayed redundancy rebates against other tax liabilities and the 20% reduction in the Revenue Commissioners penalty interest.
ISME successfully lobbied for an increase in the turnover threshold amount, which small businesses are required to be audited, increased from €1.5m to €7.3m.
The Association was instrumental in the introduction of the Bank Switching Code, which allows small businesses to change banks in a faster and more efficient manner.
ISME lobbied successfully for the increase in thresholds and an extension of both the Business Expansion Scheme (BES) and the Seed Capital Scheme (SCS)
The Association secured an increase on the thresholds for VAT on a cash receipts basis from €625k to €1m.
ISME was Instrumental in the Minister for Finance's decision to remove the €50,000 threshold on Research & Development (2004 Budget).
ISME encouraged the Government to allow Owner /Managers the right to self manage their pension funds after retirement.
The Association succeeded in getting the Competition Authority to conduct an in-depth review of the banking sector to establish charging/lending policies to SMEs.
ISME committed the Tanaiste to introduce the Personal Injuries Assessment Board to tackle the insurance crisis and reduce premium by some 30 %.

ISME's Campaigning

Established dispute resolution procedures for its members with the Revenue Commissioners, Eircom and other State Bodies,
Helped inject €100m into Health Boards to alleviate late payments to suppliers and secure a political commitment to introduce late payment legislation.
Prevented the Government from removing the protection Monopolies and Mergers Legislation from SMEs.
Restored the standard PAYE allowance to the children of proprietary directors.