60,000 jobs to be created by bullish SMEs

As many as 60,000 jobs could be created by small- and medium-sized businesses in 2015, but doubts over future employment levels and a potential loss of competitiveness remain a concern.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Isme) expects tens of thousands of jobs to be created next year as a third of businesses plan to add to their workforce.

The results of Isme’s latest quarterly business trends survey, for the final quarter of 2014, show that 30% of firms are planning to take on new workers next year, compared to just 7% that expect to cut staff numbers.