Irish SMEs say jobs are at risk as rising costs add to pressures

Rising utility costs, falling profits driving 15% of small firms to lay off staff when the employment wage subsidy scheme end

Caitriona Allis, head of ACCA Ireland, whose joint survey with Grant Thornton highlights the pressures that Irish SMEs across a range of sectors are facing from rising input costs.

Soaring utility bills are adding to other mounting costs and pushing small businesses across the island of Ireland towards job losses, says Caitriona Allis, head of ACCA Ireland.

The all-island chartered certified accountancy group has published a number of surveys with partners north and south. The collective responses point to longer-term optimism among small businesses north and south, but a shared view that Government support is needed to offset immediate soaring costs.