Further help for firms needed

The Government has been warned that it must do more than has been set out in Budget 2016 to gain the trust of the small business community ahead of the general election.

The latest Government Satisfaction Survey from small and medium-sized enterprise lobbyist Isme, shows that the core element of Ireland’s SME community is losing faith in the current Government.

While overall satisfaction levels are up by two points (to 60) since autumn 2012, banking and business costs are still huge concerns and micro businesses — the largest grouping of respondents — currently have a -3 measure on Government performance.