Small firms 'kept in dark' over €250m inflation budget aid plan

Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney told reporters that small firms will automatically benefit up to maximum of €10,000 a year via their local authorities, if they pay commercial rates of up to €20,000 a year.

The Government will have to make up for lost time and provide details of a proposed €250m aid package designed to protect small firms from the worst of the inflation crisis, business advisers and groups have warned.

It comes amid disappointment that the announcement of the centre-piece of the business budget was short of detail.