Small businesses employ fewer people than 12 months ago

ALMOST a quarter of Ireland’s small enterprises are employing fewer people today than 12 months ago and half are not optimistic about the next

An Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) survey indicates that the last 12 months have proven to be particularly difficult for the small business sector.

ISME chief executive Mark Fielding said this is reflected in SME business confidence, which continues to decline with almost half (46%) of respondents less optimistic about future prospects than they were 12 months ago.