Credit constraints leading to reduced investment and jobs

According to the ESRI, credit constraints for small businesses are slowing job creation and weakening economic growth.

A conference on lending to SMEs will be hosted today by the ESRI and the Department of Finance

The Economic and Social Research Institute said that ensuring firms have the means to invest and grow is crucial to Ireland's economic recovery.

Research Fellow at the ESRI Conor O'Toole, said that small businesses need access to credit to create jobs.

"This has led them to reduced investment and jobs so there clearly is immediate and longer term consequences for employment and economic growth of access to credit issues."