ISME wants cut in public service costs

ISME has called for an immediate reduction of 10% in all public service costs to business.

The association has said the Government must implement the massive savings indicated in the Review of Local Government Report before attempting to approach the SME providers to the state for reductions, which will push small enterprises over the edge.

ISME was responding to Junior Minister Brian Hayes’ call for a 10% cut in prices from the small business sector.

ISME chief executive Mark Fielding said: “It would be more beneficial for the junior minister to address the half a billion savings within the local government operations than to be issuing gung-ho statements after a day trip to London.

“The fact that the Irish Government awards 12 times more contracts to foreign suppliers than the European average is a glaring opportunity for the new junior minister to tackle, rather than a pre-emptive strike against hard pressed SMEs,” Mr Fielding said.