Businesses count cost of weather losses

DELAYS in getting to work and absenteeism due to the icy conditions will cost firms millions of euro in lost productivity.

The Small Firms Association (SFA) estimates that if half the private workforce lost just 30 minutes from the day the result is 49,825 days lost and a lost productivity cost of just over €7 million.

Small firms group ISME also believes that 20% of the workforce stayed at home as a result of the weather.