Group urges Government to ‘job-proof’ every action

Investment in small businesses is the only way to solve the unemployment crisis and return the country to sustainable growth, the Small Firms Association has claimed.

Director Avine McNally said that instead of making it easier for employers to hire people, the Government has placed a levy on employment.

“Government measures taken since 2010 have already added over €660m per annum to labour costs, through employer PRSI changes, pensions levy, and, most recently, the changes to the redundancy rebate,” Ms McNally said.