SFA makes pitch for new semi-state bank dedicated to small businesses

New three-year strategy for small business launched on Monday

Enterprise minister Peter Burke and Small Firms Association director David Broderick at the launch of the SFA's three-year strategy at the Hodson Bay Hotel in Athlone. Picture: Jeff Harvey

A new three-year strategy launched on Monday by the Small Firms Association (SFA) calls on the Government to explore the establishment of a semi-state bank dedicated to servicing small business.

The SFA three-year strategy document, entitled ‘Putting the Small Business Owner First’, aims to place Ireland’s small business owners at the heart of Government policy, "ensuring they can survive, grow, and thrive". Around 859,000 people are in direct employment in small businesses and 43% of people employed in the private sector work in a small business.