ISME 2008 Press Releases

Monday 22nd December 2008
BANKS’ RECAPITILISATION PLAN


Monday 22nd December 2008
SHOPS PLAGUED BY SHOPLIFTERS OVER CHRISTMAS PERIOD


Friday 19th December 2008
PUBLICATION OF WAGES AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT IN SMEs REPORT 2008


Thursday 18th December 2008
ISME RUBBISHES GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC PLAN


Wednesday 17th December 2008
PUBLICATION OF ISME’s FOURTH QUARTERLY BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY WINTER 2008


Tuesday 16th December 2008
ISME CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR BADLY NEEDED FINANCE TO SMEs AT JOINT OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE MEETING


Monday 15th December 2008
ISME WELCOMES BANKS RECAPITILISATION PLAN


Friday 12th December 2008
ICTU LOSES THE PLOT IN MINIMUM WAGE CLAIM


Thursday 11th December 2008
ISME CALLS FOR FULL INVESTIGATION BY EXTERNAL PANEL INTO PIG MEAT FIASCO


Thursday 11th December 2008
ISME: SHARP DROP IN INFLATION SHOWS LUNACY OF PAY DEAL


Wednesday 10th December 2008
INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT COMPANIES RIP OFF THROUGH FUEL SURCHARGES


Sunday 7th December 2008
ISME REITERATES CALL TO SHOP LOCALLY AND ‘THINK IRISH AND BUY IRISH’ THIS CHRISTMAS


Thursday 4th December 2008
ISME DISAPPOINTED WITH SELECTION OF BANK BOARD NOMINEES


Thursday 4th December 2008
ISME CALLS ON LENDING INSTITUTIONS TO IMMEDIATELY PASS ON LATEST INTEREST RATE REDUCTION


Wednesday 3rd December 2008
ECONOMY IN DIRE STRAITS AS LABOUR MARKET IMPLODES


Monday 1st December 2008
ISME WELCOMES DECISION NOT TO INCREASE ELECTRICITY AND GAS PRICES


Monday 1st December 2008
LATEST REDUNDANCY FIGURES CONFIRM JOBS MARKET IN ‘FREEFALL’


Thursday 27th November 2008
TANAISTE IGNORES SMALL BUSINESS IN SALES LAW REFORM


Wednesday 26th November 2008
LIMP REPORT ON PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM A LOST OPPORTUNITY


Monday 24th November 2008
WHERE IS THE GOVERNMENT ACTION PLAN?


Friday 21st November 2008
ECONOMY IN CRISIS AS UNEMPLOYMENT ROCKETS.


Thursday 20th November 2008
SMALL FIRMS FACING ANNIHILATION AS GOVERNMENT PROCRASTINATES.


Tuesday 18th November 2008
ISME NATIONAL COUNCIL RECOMMENDS 12 MONTH PAY FREEZE TO MEMBER COMPANIES.


Monday 17th November 2008
ISME CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO SUSPEND NATIONAL PAY AGREEMENT.


Friday 14th November 2008
95,000 JOBS AT RISK AS STERLING WEAKENS.


Thursday 13th November 2008
INFLATION.


Tuesday 11th November 2008
VAT CHANGE ‘MADNESS’ ADDS TO SMALL FIRMS COSTS.


Friday 7th November 2008
ISME URGES CONSUMERS AND RETAILERS TO
‘THINK IRISH AND BUY IRISH' IN THE LEAD UP TO CHRISTMAS.


Thursday 6th November 2008
ECB RATE REDUCTION – ISME DEMANDS BANK SANCTIONS


Wednesday 5th November 2008
URGENT ACTION REQUIRED TO ADDRESS CALAMITOUS LIVE REGISTER FIGURES


Tuesday 4th November 2008
FURTHER HIKES IN ELECTRICITY AND GAS A SAVAGE BLOW TO SMALL BUSINESS


Tuesday 4th November 2008
ISME CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO SECURE LENDING FACILITIES FOR SMEs


Monday 3rd November 2008
REDUNDANCY FIGURES CONFIRM NEED TO SUSPEND NATIONAL PAY DEAL


Monday October 27th 2008
FOREIGN SHOPPING SPREES COSTING IRISH JOBS


Wednesday 22nd October 2008
ISME FÁS Scholarships benefit Cork entrepreneurs


Wednesday 22nd October 2008
ISME FÁS Scholarships benefit Kilkenny entrepreneurs


Tuesday 21st October 2008
NEW GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL ON INCOME LEVY A RETROGRADE STEP


Monday 20th October 2008
ISME APPALLED AT PROPOSED GAS PRICE INCREASE


Monday 20th October 2008
GOVERNMENT IGNORES SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS ON LATE PAYMENTS


Thursday 16th October 2008
ISME CALLS FOR 30,000 PUBLIC SECTOR JOB CUTS


Tuesday 14th October 2008
BUDGET RESPONSE BAD BUDGET FOR BUSINESS


Thursday 9th October 2008
INFLATION


Wednesday 8th October 2008
ISME CALLS ON THE BANKS TO IMMEDIATELY PASS ON INTEREST RATE REDUCTION IN FULL


Tuesday 7th October 2008
ISME SLAMS MINISTER LENIHAN, AS SMALL BUSINESSES IGNORED


Friday 3rd October 2008
ADDRESS BY ISME CHAIRMAN, J.J. KILLIAN AT THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, FRIDAY 3rd OCTOBER 2008


Thursday 2nd October 2008
BANK CHARGE INCREASES FOR BAILED OUT BANKS NOT ON


Wednesday 1st October 2008
LIVE REGISTER FIGURES CONFIRM JOBS MARKET IN ‘FREEFALL’


Monday 29th September 2008
ISME BUDGET 2009 SUBMISSION STIMULATING GROWTH & COMPETITION


Thursday 25th September 2008
ISME CREDIT WATCH SEPTEMBER ’08.LATE PAYMENTS LEGISLATION HIJACKED BY BIG BUSINESS


Wednesday 24th September 2008
PUBLICATION OF ISME’s THIRD BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY AUTUMN 2008


Wednesday 17th September 2008
SMALL FIRMS ‘SOLD OUT’ IN NEW PAY AGREEMENT


Thursday 11th September 2008
SLIGHT REDUCTION IN INFLATION WELCOME BUT FURTHER CUTS NEEDED


Wednesday 10th September 2008
ISME WARNS OF FURTHER JOB LOSSES IN ABSENCE OF PAY FREEZE


Wednesday 3rd September 2008
ISME WELCOMES EARLY BUDGET DECISION


Wednesday 3rd September 2008
ISME: FRIGHTENING LIVE REGISTER FIGURES A SERIOUS CAUSE FOR CONCERN


Friday 29th August 2008
ISME WARNS OF FURTHER TRAFFIC CHAOS COSTING SMALL FIRMS MILLIONS


Friday 22nd August 2008
ISME LIVID WITH M50 TOLL INCREASES


Friday 15th August 2008
BANKS, CREDIT & SMEs - AN ISME REPORT


Tuesday 12th August 2008
ISME CALLS FOR OVERHAUL OF EDUCATION SYSTEM


Thursday 7th August 2008
INFLATION


Wednesday 6th August 2008
SMALL BUSINESS LOSING OUT ON LUCRATIVE PUBLIC SECTOR TENDERING CONTRACTS


Tuesday, 5th August 2008
JOBS MARKET IN ‘FREEFALL’ WARNS ISME


Tuesday, 5th August 2008
INCREASING BLACK ECONOMY ACTIVITY POSING A SERIOUS THREAT TO BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY


Thursday 31st July 2008
ISME CALLS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE & RECRUITMENT FREEZE


Wednesday 30th July 2008
ISME ALARMED AT RAPID RISE IN LIVE REGISTER


Friday 25th July 2008
ISME FURY AT GAS PRICE INCREASE


Thursday 24th July 2008
ISME CALLS FOR BALANCE IN WTO TALKS


Wednesday 23rd July 2008
ISME SLAMS MINISTER OVER DUBLIN BUS ABUSE OF POSITION


Monday 21st July 2008
ISME CALLS FOR MINIMUM INCOME POLICY, INCLUDING PRSI REDUCTIONS TO OFFSET RISING LABOUR COSTS


Friday 11th July 2008
ISME HIGHLY CRITICAL OF CER RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE ESB PRICE HIKE


Friday 11th July 2008
SIGNIFICANT UPSURGE IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCAMS


Thursday 10th July 2008
INFLATION


Friday 4th July 2008
ISME CREDIT WATCH:LATE PAYMENTS CRIPPLING SMALL BUSINESS


Tuesday 1st July 2008
PUBLICATION OF ISME’s SECOND BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY SUMMER 2008


Wednesday 25th June 2008
ISME WELCOMES EUROPEAN COMMISSION COMMITMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS ACT


Wednesday 25th June 2008
WASTE MANAGEMENT-THE BURDEN ON SMES - AN ISME REPORT


Monday 16th June 2008
EMPLOYER MANDATORY PENSIONS A ‘NO-GO’


Thursday 12th June 2008
INFLATION


Tuesday 10th June 2008
ISME CONCERNED BY TEMPORARY WORKERS DIRECTIVE


Friday 6th June 2008
CRIME COSTING SMALL FIRMS €1.5 BILLION ANNUALLY


Friday 30th May 2008
OIL CRISIS THREATENING SMALL BUSINESS SURVIVAL


Thursday 29th May 2008
ADDRESS BY ISME CHAIRMAN, J.J. KILLIAN AT THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL LUNCH


Friday 23rd May 2008
CURRENCY CRISIS THREATENING SME EXPORTERS


Thursday 22nd May 2008
ISME TEAMS UP WITH EBAY TO BOOST SMALL BUSINESS’ SALES


Thursday 8th May 2008
INFLATION


Friday 2nd May 2008
LATEST REDUNDANCY FIGURES CONFIRM THE NEED FOR A ‘WAGE FREEZE’


Friday 2nd May 2008
EU REFORM TREATY;LACK OF INFORMATION AND UNCERTAINTY DRIVING NO VOTE


Thursday 17th April 2008
ISME CALLS FOR WAGE FREEZE TO GET ECONOMY ‘BACK ON TRACK’


Tuesday 15th April 2008
PUBLICATION OF ISME’s FIRST BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY SPRING 2008


Thursday 10th April 2008
ISME EXTREMELY CONCERNED AT STUBBORN INFLATION


Thursday 20th March 2008
SMALL BUSINESSES FACING ‘CASH FLOW CRISIS’


Thursday 13th March 2008
DRAMATIC HIKE IN INFLATION A HUGE CONCERN TO SMALL BUSINESS


Monday 3rd March 2008
ISME E-business survey–2008


Wednesday 20th February 2008
ISME SLAMS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS’ STRIKE


Friday 15th February 2008
ISME CHIEF SLAMS UNDEMOCRATIC, UNREPRESENTATIVE, INSULAR SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP PROCESS


Thursday 7th February 2008
INFLATION


Wednesday 6th February 2008
ISME WELCOMES €60M GROWTH FUND FOR SMALL BUSINESS


Saturday 2nd February 2008
ISME WELCOMES SUPREME COURT DECISION ON
DIRECTOR’S RESTRICTION


Friday 1st February 2008
ISME CONCERNED AT RISE IN LIVE REGISTER


Thursday 17th January 2008
INFLATION: DECREASE PROVIDES LITTLE COMFORT TO OVERSTRETCHED SMALL BUSINESS


Thursday 17th January 2008
SMALL BUSINESS UNHAPPY WITH LACK OF INFORMATION ON EU REFORM TREATY


Thursday 10th January 2008
ISME GIVES CAUTIOUS WELCOME TO BENCHMARKING REPORT



Monday 22nd December 2008

BANKS’ RECAPITILISATION PLAN

• Lending policies must change to allow access to funds.
  
• Specific measureable targets must be insisted on to avoid distortion of figures by Banks.
  
• ISME calls for freeze on all bank charges for duration of Government bank rescue guarantee scheme.
  
• ISME calls on Minister to nominate SME representatives, to protect the interests of smaller businesses.

Download Full Press Release


Monday 22nd December 2008

SHOPS PLAGUED BY SHOPLIFTERS OVER CHRISTMAS PERIOD

• ISME warns retailers to be vigilant as €150,000 stolen every.
  
• Shoplifting costing businesses €40m over Christmas shopping period.
  
• Retailers twice more likely to be targeted over Christmas than other periods.
  
• Shoplifting adding 3% to price of products.

Download Full Press Release



Thursday 18th December 2008

ISME RUBBISHES GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC PLAN

• Roadmap to nowhere ignores real business issues.
  
• Government bereft of ideas.
  
• Administration out of touch with what is happening on the ground.
  
• Laudable policy of promoting innovation little relevance to most businesses.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 17th December 2008

PUBLICATION OF ISME’s FOURTH QUARTERLY BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY WINTER 2008

• Worst figures on record confirm SME sector in crisis
  
• Lack of confidence in economy having a damning impact on company performance.
  
• 79% of companies fearful about business prospects.
  
• Nearly half (47%) of SMEs have announced redundancies, with worse yet to come.
  
• Sharp reduction in sales a significant worry, as 61% see turnover slump.
  
• Exports decimated as 45% of companies report a reduction in export values.
  
• SME sector concerned at lack of Government leadership.
  
• Any Government recovery plan needs to address business costs, late payments and lack of credit.

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 16th December 2008

ISME CHAIRMAN CALLS FOR BADLY NEEDED FINANCE TO SMEs AT JOINT OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE MEETING

• Business being hampered by lack of bank credit.
  
• 54% of companies refused applications for new finance or extensions of existing credit.
  
• Stringent conditions being attached to bank lending.
  
• Companies threatening to reduce staff and/or close down unless they can avail of badly needed bank credit facilities.
  
• Action rather than words expected from banks.
  
• The option of the State taking over a bank and operating it may have to be seriously considered.

Download Full Press Release


Monday 15th December 2008.

ISME WELCOMES BANKS RECAPITILISATION PLAN

• Bank lending crucial to SMEs in assisting in their ability to trade
  
• Lending policies must change to allow access to funds.

Download Full Press Release


Friday 12th December 2008

INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT COMPANIES RIP OFF THROUGH FUEL SURCHARGES

• Union umbrella body out of touch with economic reality.
  
• Mischievous demand for increase in minimum wage as 160 jobs are lost daily.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 11th December 2008

ISME CALLS FOR FULL INVESTIGATION BY EXTERNAL PANEL INTO PIG MEAT FIASCO

• Irish Produce good name at risk internationally.
  
• Operational loan scheme required for small & medium businesses caught up in the crisis
  
• Major international marketing effort required to combat bad press.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 11th December 2008

ISME: SHARP DROP IN INFLATION SHOWS LUNACY OF PAY DEAL

• ISME welcomes sharp drop in inflation, but warns of increasing business costs, particularly wages
  
• Public sector costs still running ahead of inflation, confirms Government inability to tackle vested interests.
  
• Lunacy of pay deal confirmed by dramatic inflation drop.
  
• Cancellation of national pay agreement essential to economic stability.

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Wednesday 10th December 2008

INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT COMPANIES RIP OFF THROUGH FUEL SURCHARGES

• ISME calls for immediate cancellation of extortionate surcharges
  
• As fuel drops by 70%, the fuel surcharges remain.

Download Full Press Release

Download Full Press Release


Sunday 7th December 2008

ISME REITERATES CALL TO SHOP LOCALLY AND ‘THINK IRISH AND BUY IRISH’ THIS CHRISTMAS

• €100m to be spent daily between now and Christmas.
  
• With retail sales down, shopping locally will provide a major stimulus to local enterprises and local economies.
  
• Every €10 spent locally generates a further €24 benefit to the local economy.
  
• Buying Irish will help to secure jobs in a difficult time for Irish manufacturers, producers and retailers.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 4th December 2008

ISME DISAPPOINTED WITH SELECTION OF BANK BOARD NOMINEES

• No representatives from the SME sector, the true risk-takers.
  
• Nominees list full of ex-politicians and ex-public servants, with little or no practical experience of running a business
  
• ISME calls on Minister to nominate SME representatives, so as to protect the interests of smaller businesses.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 4th December 2008

ISME CALLS ON LENDING INSTITUTIONS TO IMMEDIATELY PASS ON LATEST INTEREST RATE REDUCTION

• A name and shame policy required to highlight financial institutions that fail to pass on full reductions.
  
• Sanctions, including threat to withdraw government guarantee, necessary
  
• Government and Financial Regulator must ensure that rates are passed on in full to SMEs.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 3rd December 2008

ECONOMY IN DIRE STRAITS AS LABOUR MARKET IMPLODES

• 63% increase in Live Register in the last 12 months, the highest increase on record.
• Live register now at a 10 year high.
• Crippling costs continue to weigh heavily on smaller businesses.
• ‘Freeze’ in business costs urgently required.
• Government leadership urgently needed to lead us out of this morass.

Download Full Press Release


Monday 1st December 2008

ISME WELCOMES DECISION NOT TO INCREASE ELECTRICITY AND GAS PRICES

• Slight respite for many businesses that have suffered due to exorbitant energy costs.
• Disappointment that significant reductions not announced.
• Winter of discontent avoided with regard to energy costs.
• ISME looks forward to further reductions in the near future.

Download Full Press Release


Monday 1st December 2008

LATEST REDUNDANCY FIGURES CONFIRM JOBS MARKET IN ‘FREEFALL’

• 155 jobs a day being lost.
• 57% increase in Redundancies over the last 12 months.
• Government needs to address crisis by insisting on pay freeze and by putting pressure on banks to provide credit facilities to SMEs.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 27th November 2008

TANAISTE IGNORES SMALL BUSINESS IN SALES LAW REFORM

• ISME welcomes overdue Sales Law reform.
• Omission of SME representation on expert group, an insult to sector.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 26th November 2008

LIMP REPORT ON PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM A LOST OPPORTUNITY

• Report on transforming public services heavy on jargon, light on specifics.
• Long fingered reform to exacerbate economic deterioration.
• Lack of immediate action sums up dithering Government.

Download Full Press Release


Monday 24th November 2008

WHERE IS THE GOVERNMENT ACTION PLAN?

• Lack of leadership evident as Government dithers in face of crisis.
• No government plan in place as economy in danger of tipping over the edge.
• ISME calls for Government blueprint in response to economic crisis.

Download Full Press Release


Friday 21st November 2008

ECONOMY IN CRISIS AS UNEMPLOYMENT ROCKETS

• Shocking unemployment figures confirm economy in ‘meltdown’.
• A massive 85% of job losses occurred in the last 3 months.
• Crisis to escalate as SMEs starved of cash.
• Crazy national pay deal exposed by latest figures.
• ISME calls for three pronged policy, including suspension of pay agreement, immediate reform of public sector and access to finance to arrest record job losses.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 20th November 2008

SMALL FIRMS FACING ANNIHILATION AS GOVERNMENT PROCRASTINATES

• Government bereft of ideas as banks refuse to lend to business..
• Credit crisis leading to company closures and job losses.
• Situation worse than reported by Banks.
• Over half of businesses (54%) refused access to finance in the last few weeks as situation deteriorates on a daily basis.
• Government intervention essential to free up lending.
• Recapitalisation, EIB loan finance and change of lending policy the only answer

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 18th November 2008

ISME NATIONAL COUNCIL RECOMMENDS 12 MONTH PAY FREEZE TO MEMBER COMPANIES

• Survival the key criteria as business activity slumps.
• Pay freeze to provide much needed breathing space to small and medium businesses

Download Full Press Release


Monday 17th November 2008

ISME CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO SUSPEND NATIONAL PAY AGREEMENT

• Pay increases while jobs are lost: a GUBU scenario.
• Pay deal, bad for business, bad for economy.
• Unaffordable increases to lead to further redundancies.
• 12 month pay pause necessary for survival of economy.

Download Full Press Release


Friday 14th November 2008

95,000 JOBS AT RISK AS STERLING WEAKENS

• Biggest ever crisis to face exporters to the UK.
• Sterling weakens by 16% since the start of the year.
• 47% of SMEs export to the UK.
• 65% of companies exporting to the UK negatively impacted by currency situation.
• 34% of all exporters outline that jobs are at risk.
• 68% of Irish firms threatened by UK competitors on the domestic market.
• Addressing competitiveness essential to offsetting currency movements.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 13th November 2008

INFLATION

• ISME welcomes drop in inflation, but warns of continuing cost increases in major sectors of the economy.
• Association warns against complacency in the face of rising business costs.
• Official figures masking the true cost of doing business, with production costs increasing by 10% on average per annum.
• Government inaction on public sector costs major cause of “home grown” inflation.

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 11th November 2008

VAT CHANGE ‘MADNESS’ ADDS TO SMALL FIRMS COSTS

• Change of VAT rate, mid-way through tax period, pure lunacy
  
• Significant increase in administration costs due to Minister’s daft call.
  
• ISME questions Minister for Finance’s understanding of how businesses operate.
  
• ISME calls for deferral of VAT change to 1st January.

Doenload Full Press Release


Friday 7th November 2008

ISME URGES CONSUMERS AND RETAILERS TO
‘THINK IRISH AND BUY IRISH’ IN THE LEAD UP TO CHRISTMAS.

• €4.7bn will be spent by the public between now and Christmas.
  
• Buy Irish will help to create and secure Irish jobs in a difficult time for Irish manufacturers, producers and retailers.
  
• ISME calls on multiples to stock and display more Irish products over the Christmas period..

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 6th November 2008

ECB RATE REDUCTION – ISME DEMANDS BANK

• Withdrawal of government guarantee demanded for banks who fail to pass on full rate reductions.
  
• Evidence that banks, including Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB not passing on previous reduction.
  
• Cash starved businesses should not lose out to profiteering banks.
  
• Government and Financial Regulator must ensure that rates passed on in full.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 5th November 2008

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED TO ADDRESS CALAMITOUS LIVE REGISTER FIGURES

• 57% increase in Live Register in the last 12 months, the highest on record.
  
• Government action needed to avert crisis of major proportions.
  
• Association reiterates call to suspend national pay deal.
  
• Reversal of energy price applications necessary
  
• Cash starved businesses need Government support.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 5th November 2008

URGENT ACTION REQUIRED TO ADDRESS CALAMITOUS LIVE REGISTER FIGURES

• 57% increase in Live Register in the last 12 months, the highest on record.
  
• Government action needed to avert crisis of major proportions.
  
• Association reiterates call to suspend national pay deal.
  
• Reversal of energy price applications necessary
  
• Cash starved businesses need Government support.

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 4th November 2008

FURTHER HIKES IN ELECTRICITY AND GAS A SAVAGE BLOW TO SMALL BUSINESS

• Since 2002 electricity prices will have increased by 98% and Gas by 154%, well in excess of the rate of inflation.
  
• Another hike in electricity and gas unsustainable for under pressure small businesses.
  
• ISME calls on the Government to intervene and refuse the applications of ESB and An Bord Gais as oil prices tumble.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 3rd November 2008

ISME CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO SECURE LENDING FACILITIES FOR SMEs

• Cash flow problems leading to company closures.
  
• Banks must avail of EIB funding facility for small business.
  
• Bank lending required to avert crisis.
  
• Government intervention seen as final hope for many small firms.

Download Full Press Release


Monday 3rd November 2008

REDUNDANCY FIGURES CONFIRM NEED TO SUSPEND NATIONAL PAY DEAL

• Labour market implodes as 725 jobs lost weekly.
  
• 50% increase in Redundancies over the last 12 months
  
• 114% increase on corresponding month last year

Download Full Press Release


Monday October 27th 2008

FOREIGN SHOPPING SPREES COSTING IRISH JOBS

• Over €1billion lost to the local economy due to foreign spending frenzy.
  
• €553million spent in New York alone
  
• Taxes foregone exceeds €300m
  
• Shopping in New York and other US cities costing Irish business millions
  
• Customs continue to turn a ‘blind-eye’, as suitcases of product brought in illegally to the Country

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 22nd October 2008

ISME FÁS Scholarships benefit Cork entrepreneurs

• 30% of Business Scholarships awarded to Cork companies.
  
• Over €120,000 awarded to SMEs for education
  
• Business education the key to survival

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 22nd October 2008

ISME FÁS Scholarships benefit Kilkenny entrepreneurs

• Business Scholarships awarded to Kilkenny Company
  
• Over €120,000 awarded to SMEs for education
  
• Business education the key to survival

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 21st October 2008

NEW GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL ON INCOME LEVY A RETROGRADE STEP

• ISME calls on Government to reassess proposal.

Download Full Press Release


Monday 20th October 2008

ISME APPALLED AT PROPOSED GAS PRICE INCREASE

• Another gas hike unsustainable for already hard pressed businesses.
• Application a step too far for small business as energy costs run out of control.
• 162% increase in Gas prices since 2002 unsustainable - six times the rate of inflation.
• ISME calls on regulator to reject application, as oil and gas prices plummet.

Download Full Press Release


Monday 20th October, 2008

GOVERNMENT IGNORES SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS ON LATE PAYMENTS

• Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment complicit with Big Business in Late Payments crisis.
• Cash strapped small businesses going to wall, as bank lending ‘dries up’.
• Mandatory 30 day payment rule urgently required.

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 16th October 2008

ISME CALLS FOR 30,000 PUBLIC SECTOR JOB CUTS

• Employment up 71,600 since 2000 and up 4,600 in the last quarter alone.
• 118% increase in Public Sector pay and pensions since 2000.
• Budget fails to address biggest threat to economy.
• Public sector costs resulting in increased taxation and borrowing.
• Public sector thrives as Government avoids confronting unions.
• Public sector excesses threatening the very existence of many private sector companies
• Businesses and society paying for luxury jobs in cushioned sector

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 14th October 2008

BUDGET RESPONSE BAD BUDGET FOR BUSINESS

• Budget does little to reward entrepreneurial activity or promote risk-taking at the individual small firm level.
• Little incentive for enterprise to develop and grow.
• Business and public paying for mismanagement and profligacy of government.
• Income Levy a disincentive for employment.
• Taxing our way out of a recession the wrong policy.
• Minister fails to reposition economy for growth

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 9th October 2008

INFLATION

• No reduction in inflation a cause for concern.
• Upcoming Budget must address business costs to protect companies and jobs.
• ISME calls for 12 month freeze on all Government and local charges including commercial rates, water and waste charges.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 8th October 2008

ISME CALLS ON THE BANKS TO IMMEDIATELY PASS ON INTEREST RATE REDUCTION IN FULL

• Not a time for usual bank profiteering.
• Ministerial intervention necessary if Banks refuse to comply.

Download Full Press Release


Tuesday 7th October 2008

ISME SLAMS MINISTER LENIHAN,AS SMALL BUSINESSES IGNORED

• Minister for Finance more interested in bailing out banks and big builders than supporting small businesses, the backbone of the economy.
• US and Europe intensify support for small business as Irish SME concerns fall on deaf ears and businesses close.
• Irish Government’s ‘Do nothing stance’ on Small Business a recipe for disaster.
• Budget measures required to maintain and stimulate indigenous companies.

Download Full Press Release


Friday 3rd October 2008

ADDRESS BY ISME CHAIRMAN, J.J. KILLIAN AT THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE, FRIDAY 3rd OCTOBER 2008

• ISME Chairman warns Government not to scale back on infrastructure development.
• Ongoing Investment is required to correct our infrastructure deficit.
• Roads, rail, broadband and waste facilities still badly needed for economy to compete.
• Speed up construction of schools and hospitals to secure construction employment.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 2nd October 2008

BANK CHARGE INCREASES FOR BAILED OUT BANKS NOT ON

• ISME calls for freeze on all bank charges for duration of Government bank rescue guarantee scheme.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 1st October 2008

LIVE REGISTER FIGURES CONFIRM JOBS MARKET IN ‘FREEFALL’

• Live Register up 48% in the last 12 months, the highest on record.
• Small business support required as banks ‘bailed out’.
• Freeze’ in business costs urgently required.

Download Full Press Release


Monday 29th September 2008

ISME BUDGET 2009 SUBMISSION
STIMULATING GROWTH & COMPETITION

• Reforming Public Sector number one priority.
• Recruitment embargo and pay pause crucial.
• Immediate freeze on local charges and stealth taxes badly needed.
• Maintenance of key infrastructural projects essential to stimulating growth.

Download Budget Submission

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 25th September 2008

ISME CREDIT WATCH SEPTEMBER ’08. LATE PAYMENTS LEGISLATION HIJACKED BY BIG BUSINESS

• Prompt Payment Legislation abused by State Bodies and Big Business.
• Small Business situation 31% worse than August 2002, when legislation introduced.
• Small Business waiting 65 days on average for payment.
• Big business and State sector continue to put squeeze on smaller suppliers by delaying payments.
• 35% of companies experiencing payment delays of over three months.
• Credit Squeeze strangling small firms.
• ISME calls on the Government to introduce mandatory credit terms of 30 days as was initially intended by the Prompt Payment Legislation.

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 24th September 2008

PUBLICATION OF ISME’s THIRD BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY AUTUMN 2008

• 40% of companies reducing employment as job losses hit record levels.
• 6 out of 10 companies less confident about business prospects.
• Sales and order books at their lowest in years.
• Sales have slumped with a net 18% of companies reporting turnover is now less than the same period last year
• 55% of companies outlined that their sales/order books are down in comparison to last year.
• Half of all SMEs identifying economic uncertainty as their main business concern.
• Credit a major issue as half of firms waiting longer for payment.
• Bleak future forecast unless Government takes action on costs and expenditure

Download Full Press Release


Wednesday 17th September 2008

SMALL FIRMS ‘SOLD OUT’ IN NEW PAY AGREEMENT

• ISME calls for ‘crisis’ meeting with Taoiseach.
• New pay deal, bad for business, bad for economy and bad for democracy.
• Unaffordable increases to lead to further redundancies.
• IBEC capitulation will have devastating impact on Small Firms.
• Small business cannot and will not comply with outrageous terms.

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 11th September 2008

SLIGHT REDUCTION IN INFLATION WELCOME BUT FURTHER CUTS NEEDED

• Reduction recorded in spite of Government inaction.
• Under-utilised anti-inflation committee required to tackle rising costs.
• Further job losses imminent if cost environment not brought fully under control.
• Business ‘crying out’ for positive action to address cost increases.

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Wednesday 10th September 2008

ISME WARNS OF FURTHER JOB LOSSES IN ABSENCE OF PAY FREEZE

• Harsh reality must be acknowledged in wage negotiations.
• ISME calls on Government to show leadership by tackling public sector costs.
• One year pay freeze across the board and two year public sector recruitment embargo required.
• Employers cannot afford wage increases and will have to resort to redundancies.
• Cost of doing business’ increases will kill the Small & Medium business sector.

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Wednesday 3rd September 2008

ISME WELCOMES EARLY BUDGET DECISION

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has welcomed the decision by the Government to introduce next year’s Budget six weeks early

The Association has been particularly critical of the lack of action from Government in addressing the current difficult economic circumstances. Today’s decision indicates that at last the Government have seen the light and are acknowledging that clarity and confidence is required to regenerate business confidence and revitalise economic growth. It is imperative that the measures introduced to underline this confidence include maintenance of the National Development Plan, tackling the cost environment particularly business costs, addressing excessive public expenditure including a pay freeze and incentivising business to develop and grow.


Wednesday 3rd September 2008

ISME: FRIGHTENING LIVE REGISTER FIGURES A SERIOUS CAUSE FOR CONCERN

• Live Register up 42% in the last 12 months, the highest recorded in 40 years.
• Job numbers plummeting as Government stands idly by.
• Wage and working time reductions being introduced to save remaining jobs.
• Significant pay pause required to help ‘beleaguered’ businesses.

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Friday 29th August 2008

ISME WARNS OF FURTHER TRAFFIC CHAOS COSTING SMALL FIRMS MILLIONS

• Commute times increased by 74% in five years.
• Nine working weeks per driver spent in traffic gridlock.
• The estimated direct cost of traffic congestion is €2.5bn annually.
• Gridlock leading to increased transport costs, late deliveries, increased staff turnover and reduced productivity.
• Inept traffic management and inadequate public transport fail to ensure realistic traffic flow.
• Lack of ‘joined up thinking’ by state agencies.
• ISME calls for the introduction of a National Transport Management Agency to oversee the delivery of efficient traffic flow on roads both nationally and locally.

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Friday 22nd August 2008

ISME LIVID WITH M50 TOLL INCREASES

• Business Toll increases of 46% unacceptable.
• Stealth tax forced on hard suffering road users.
• ‘Barrier free’ does not mean ‘Delay free’ as travelling public continue to suffer.
• ISME calls for tolls to be phased out completely from the M50 over the next two years.

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Friday 15th August 2008

BANKS, CREDIT & SMEs - AN ISME REPORT

• Report highlights general satisfaction with banks, but services deteriorate.
• Lack of competition evident as ‘big two’ dominate.
• Interest charges and bank fees still a major concern to small business.
• Personal guarantees still an issue, preventing companies sourcing additional finance.
• Only 9% of companies have switched banks in the last three years.
• Banks rowing back on lending as one-sixth of companies reviewed have had their facilities reduced.

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Download Full Report


Tuesday 12th August 2008

ISME CALLS FOR OVERHAUL OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

• Enterprise ignored in current education system.
• Increase in resources required for entrepreneurial studies.
• This should start at primary school level.

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Thursday 7th August 2008

INFLATION

• Latest figure a ‘temporary blip’ as Government fail to address cost environment.
• Plummeting consumer sentiment responsible for latest decrease.
• Lack of Government leadership still evident.
• Public sector pay and recruitment freeze necessary to offset rising costs.

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Wednesday 6th August 2008

SMALL BUSINESS LOSING OUT ON LUCRATIVE PUBLIC SECTOR TENDERING CONTRACTS

• SMEs losing out on opportunity to tender for Government contracts in market worth €9billion annually.


• Process discriminates against SMEs with preference for bigger supplier.


• Lack of SME involvement leading to poor value for money for taxpayers.


• Bureaucracy and red tape squeezing small business out of tendering process.


• Radical overhaul of public tendering required.

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Tuesday, 5th August 2008

OBS MARKET IN ‘FREEFALL’ WARNS ISME

• 132 jobs per working day being lost as economy flounders.
• 36% increase in redundancies in the last 12 months.
• Wage freeze only option to prevent further job losses.

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Tuesday, 5th August 2008

INCREASING BLACK ECONOMY ACTIVITY POSING A SERIOUS THREAT TO BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY

• €340m per week being lost to the black economy.
• €3.54billion lost annually in tax revenue.
• Economic downturn leading to upsurge in black economy activity.
• Legitimate businesses being undercut by rogue operators.
• ISME calls for Government action to tackle the illegal activities of rogue operators, racketeers and criminals participating in the black economy.

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Thursday 31st July 2008

ISME CALLS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE & RECRUITMENT FREEZE

• Increases in public sector employment by 30,000 since 2002, confirms lack of commitment by the Government in addressing public sector inefficiencies.
• Average pay in the public sector well in excess of private sector equivalent.
• Public sector ‘a drain’ on private sector during difficult economic climate.
• Cost of funding public sector will lead to increased taxation and borrowing unless immediate action taken.

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Wednesday 30th July 2008

ISME ALARMED AT RAPID RISE IN LIVE REGISTER

• Live Register up 40% in the last 12 months, the highest recorded in 40 years.
• Labour market in ‘freefall’ as Government buries their heads in the sand.
• Bleak figures confirm pay freeze in public and private sectors required.

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Friday 25th July 2008

ISME FURY AT GAS PRICE INCREASE

• Appalling decision a step too far for small business as energy costs run out of control.
• Gas prices will have increased by an unsustainable 155% since 2002, six times the rate of inflation.
• National energy policy immediately required to obviate amoral cost increases.

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Thursday 24th July 2008

ISME CALLS FOR BALANCE IN WTO TALKS

• Business interests overshadowed by agriculture demands in talks.
• A rebalancing required ensuring that all sectors of the economy represented.
• ISME calls on Taoiseach to protect all Irish business interests.

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Wednesday 23rd July 2008

ISME SLAMS MINISTER OVER DUBLIN BUS ABUSE OF POSITION

• Minister for Transport complicit in allowing unfair competition.
• Competition Authority marked absent in sorry affair.
• Abuse of dominant position must be stopped to prevent private operators ‘going under’.
• Closure of Circle Line and threat to Swords Express confirms need for deregulation of the bus transport market to allow greater participation by the private sector.
• Call for Competition Authority investigation into Dublin Bus.

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Monday 21st July 2008

ISME CALLS FOR MINIMUM INCOME POLICY, INCLUDING PRSI REDUCTIONS TO OFFSET RISING LABOUR COSTS

• Reasoned debate and innovative thinking required to address labour cost problem.
• Urgent action required to stem the flow of job losses.
• ISME champions the case for incentivising the lower paid.
• Targeted PRSI reduction for employers necessary to reduce labour cost burden.

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Friday 11th July 2008

ISME HIGHLY CRITICAL OF CER RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE ESB PRICE HIKE

• Approval of electricity increase will be another body blow to small business.
• 17.5% hike puts Irish electricity costs among the most expensive in Europe.
• ISME calls for a review of the position of the Energy Regulator in response to latest increase.

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Friday 11th July 2008

SIGNIFICANT UPSURGE IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCAMS

• Millions of Euro at risk from increase in Business Scams and Fraud.
• 69% of SME businesses have been targeted in last 12 months.
• International Business Directories, False invoices and phishing* particularly problematic.
• Debt Collection Agencies being duped into acting for fraudsters.
• ISME warns small companies to be on their guard particularly during Holiday Season.

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Thursday 10th July 2008

INFLATION

• National Wage Freeze imperative for survival.
• Strong and Resolute Government Leadership required.

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Friday 4th July 2008

ISME CREDIT WATCH: LATE PAYMENTS CRIPPLING SMALL BUSINESS

• Current prompt payment legislation an impotent sham.
• Small Business waiting 67 days on average for payment.
• Big business and State sector continue to put squeeze on smaller suppliers by delaying payments.
• 40% of small companies waiting longer for payment compared to last year.
• 37% of companies experiencing payment delays of over three months.
• ISME calls on the Government to introduce mandatory credit terms of 30 days as was initially intended by the Prompt Payment Legislation.

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Tuesday 1st July 2008

PUBLICATION OF ISME’s SECOND BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY SUMMER 2008

• Business Confidence in the SME Sector lowest in 20 Years.
• Two thirds (65%) of companies less confident about business prospects.
• Employment prospects bleak with a net 35% anticipating less employment in the next 12 months.
• Dramatic drop in reported level of sales.
• Economic Uncertainty by far the biggest deterrent to growth.
• Strong, Resolute and Prudent Government Leadership required.
• Wage Freeze required to keep redundancies to a minimum.

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Wednesday 25th June 2008

ISME WELCOMES EUROPEAN COMMISSION COMMITMENT TO SMALL BUSINESS ACT

• “Think Small First” to be a guiding principle in all future legislation
• Government to be monitored on its performance to ensure “best in class”.

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Wednesday 25th June 2008

WASTE MANAGEMENT-THE BURDEN ON SMES
- AN ISME REPORT

• Prohibitive costs and upsurge in legislation severely impacting on SMEs.
• Government and local authorities primarily to blame.
• Packaging waste far and away the biggest problem for small firms.
• Three quarters of SMEs reported waste cost increases in the last 12 months. The majority subjected to increases of 10% plus.
• Irish waste disposal costs three times the equivalent cost in the UK.
• Facilities and services severely lacking.
• Competition to Repak urgently required.

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Download Full Report


Monday 16th June 2008

EMPLOYER MANDATORY PENSIONS A ‘NO-GO’

• Thousands of jobs at risk.
• Mandatory employer pensions will be resisted at all costs.
• Individual responsibility for retirement income must be demanded.
• SSIA type initiative together with focussed tax reliefs the favoured options.
• Early Access and a choice of ‘Retirement Window’ proposed.

Download Submission

Download Full Press Release


Thursday 12th June 2008

INFLATION

• ISME slams Government’s impotent Inflation Policies.
• The real threat to Irish Economy comes from State influenced costs, which are continuing to drive the headline inflation rate.
• ISME demands a Wage Freeze for one year to give unsheltered economy an opportunity to regain competitiveness.
• Government Ministers should show leadership by cancelling recent pay hikes.

Tuesday 10th June 2008

ISME CONCERNED BYTEMPORARY WORKERS DIRECTIVE

• The Association warns that flexibility is essential to maintain jobs.
• Directive threatens agency worker concept.
• Recruitment sector vulnerable under new Directive.
• One year minimum qualifying period required.

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Friday 6th June 2008

CRIME COSTING SMALL FIRMS €1.5 BILLION ANNUALLY

• 35% of companies targeted by criminals in the last 12 months.
• Cost of crime increasing while Incidence of crime has reduced.
• ‘Theft by outsiders’, ‘damage to vehicles’ and ‘vandalism’ the most common crimes.
• Confidence in Gardai increasing as more businesses reporting crime.
• Zero confidence in Judiciary.
• 80% of all respondents identified crime as being a problem in their locality.
• Only 7% of business owners are confident that criminals will be apprehended.
• ISME calls for a National Forum on Business Related Crime and an increase in Garda resources.

Download Full Report

Download Full Press Release


Fridayday 30th May 2008

OIL CRISIS THREATENING SMALL BUSINESS SURVIVAL

• Small business being crippled by rising oil costs.
• Oil costs will lead to company closures and job losses.
• Government indirectly capitalising on increased business costs.
• Additional revenue from duties should be ring fenced and offset against future carbon taxes.

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Thursday 29th May 2008

ADDRESS BY ISME CHAIRMAN, J.J. KILLIAN AT THE ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL LUNCH

• ISME Chairman castigates decision to exclude ISME from Social Partnership talks process
• Reiterates call for ‘wage freeze’ to get economy ‘back on track’.
• Strong leadership required to deliver a public sector operating to its optimum capacity.

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Friday 23rd May 2008

CURRENCY CRISIS THREATENING SME EXPORTERS

• 65% of companies exporting to the UK negatively impacted by currency situation.
• 34% of all exporters outline that jobs are at risk.
• 68% of Irish firms threatened by UK competitors on the domestic market
• Biggest crisis to face exporters in the last 15 years.
• Pincer movement of reducing income and increasing costs placing SMEs on knife-edge of continuance or closure.
• Tackling overly expensive domestic costs crucial to exporters’ survival.
• Single European currency still has strong support amongst SMEs.

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Thursday 22nd May 2008

ISME TEAMS UP WITH EBAY TO BOOST SMALL BUSINESS’ SALES

• Unique seminars demystify selling on-line
• Web-based initiative introduced to help increase exports

Thursday 8th May 2008

INFLATION

• ISME welcomes reduction in inflation, but warns against complacency
• Tackling inflation should be priority for new cabinet.

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Friday 2nd May 2008

LATEST REDUNDANCY FIGURES CONFIRM THE NEED FOR A ‘WAGE FREEZE’

• 27% increase in redundancies a major concern.
• 135 jobs a day being lost as economic slowdown hits home.
• ‘Wage freeze’ required to get economy back on track
• Government should provide leadership by foregoing their latest pay increase

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Friday 2nd May 2008

EU REFORM TREATY: LACK OF INFORMATION AND UNCERTAINTY DRIVING NO VOTE

• Prospect of No vote doubles in three month period
• Referendum would be defeated by 73% to 27%, should vote be taken today.
• Only 9% aware of implications of treaty on their business, up slightly from 5% in previous survey.
• 83% confirm a lack of information an improvement of 5 percent.
• Only 4% of owner managers confirmed that their concerns have been addressed by the information available to them.
• ISME calls for the current arrogance on both sides to be replaced by an independent reasoned, structured and practical debate.

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Thursday 17th April 2008

ISME CALLS FOR WAGE FREEZE TO GET ECONOMY ‘BACK ON TRACK’

• Wage freeze needed to secure jobs.
• Irish wage increases ‘out of kilter’ with rest of EU.
• Labour costs undermining business competitiveness and leading to job losses.
• OECD warnings on wages cannot go unheeded.
• Unrealistic trade union demands will do irreparable damage to an already fragile economy.

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Tuesday 15th April 2008

PUBLICATION OF ISME’s FIRST BUSINESS TRENDS SURVEY SPRING 2008

• Business Confidence in the SME Sector continues to rapidly deteriorate
• Nearly half of companies (47%) less confident about business prospects
• Employment prospects in ‘reverse gear’ and at best will be static over the next 12 months.
• Level of sales in ‘freefall’.
• Worrying reduction in sales and orders paints a bleak picture of the economic landscape for the next number of months.
• Economic Uncertainty continues to dominate.
• Strong Government Leadership required to steer economy through troubled waters.
• Tackling inflation, ensuring wage moderation in both the private and public sectors, and addressing the erosion of competitiveness need to be put to the top of the Government’s agenda

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Thursday 10th April 2008

ISME EXTREMELY CONCERNED AT STUBBORN INFLATION

• Inflation continues to dramatically contribute to business costs.
• Business community planning accordingly, starting to factor in job losses as inflation continues to spiral out of control.
• Coherent Government action essential to address inflation concerns.

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Thursday 20th March 2008

SMALL BUSINESSES FACING ‘CASH FLOW CRISIS’

• Late payments ‘crucifying’ small & medium business sector.
• Irish Small business waiting 62 days for payment
• Big business and State main culprits as they continue to put squeeze on smaller suppliers through ‘interest free’ credit.
• 29% of small companies waiting longer for payment compared to last year.
• 30% of companies experiencing payment delays of over three months.
• Late payment legislation has failed to deliver for small business.
• ISME calls on the Government to introduce mandatory credit terms of 30 days as was initially intended by the Prompt Payment Legislation.

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Thursday 13th March 2008

DRAMATIC HIKE IN INFLATION A HUGE CONCERN TO SMALL BUSINESS

• Association concerned that latest figures will lead to a reduction in Government’s capital expenditure programme.

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Monday 3rd March 2008

ISME E-business survey–2008

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Wednesday 20th February 2008

ISME SLAMS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS’ STRIKE

• Ireland closed for business due to self-serving dispute.
• Image tarnished as Country ‘held to ransom’

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Friday 15th February 2008

ISME CHIEF SLAMS UNDEMOCRATIC, UNREPRESENTATIVE, INSULAR SOCIAL PARTNERSHIP PROCESS

• The Association attacks the Social Partners for their attempts to sideline the SME sector from the negotiations.
• ISME calls for SMEs to be given their ‘rightful place’ at the top table.

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Thursday 7th February 2008

INFLATION

• ISME welcomes reduction in inflation
• Concern however at dramatic increase in goods inflation, up six fold in the last 12 months.
• Association warns of the ‘threat from within’ from domestic cost increases
• Low inflation essential to ensure wage moderation

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Wednesday 6th February 2008

ISME WELCOMES €60M GROWTH FUND FOR SMALL BUSINESS

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Saturday 2nd February 2008

ISME WELCOMES SUPREME COURT DECISION ON
DIRECTOR’S RESTRICTION

• Rigid policies of ODCE must now change.
• Proof of innocence in corporate affairs must be restored.
• Current company law deterring involvement in business.

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Friday 1st February 2008

ISME CONCERNED AT RISE IN LIVE REGISTER

• Social Partners should heed ominous warning as national pay talks due to begin.
• Manufacturing jobs in ‘freefall’.
• Government inaction creating additional uncertainty.

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Thursday 17th January 2008

INFLATION: DECREASE PROVIDES LITTLE COMFORT TO OVERSTRETCHED SMALL BUSINESS

• Rate of Inflation masking the true increase in costs to Small Business.

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Thursday 17th January 2008

SMALL BUSINESS UNHAPPY WITH LACK OF INFORMATION ON EU REFORM TREATY

• 95% of companies not aware of implications of the EU Reform Treaty on their business, a huge cause for concern.
• 88% of SMEs outline that they do not have enough information to make a considered decision.
• Almost two to one in favour of a NO vote at this point in time, mainly due to lack of information.
• EU Reform Treaty in danger of defeat as lessons of Nice Treaty not learned.
• The Association warns against foreign interference in the run up to the referendum, leading to Ireland becoming the cockpit of Europe.
• ISME calls for debate and an intense information and publicity campaign.

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Thursday 10th January 2008

ISME GIVES CAUTIOUS WELCOME TO BENCHMARKING REPORT

• Sense of reality in Benchmarking findings.
• Sham that was Benchmarking 1 exposed by latest report.
• Public servants still due significant pay hikes in 2008 from National Wage Agreement.
• ISME calls for public sector recruitment embargo.
• Association warns about consequences of already threatened industrial action.

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