Plans for a 16% increase over four years could result in reduced working hours for staff, increased worker productivity, increased sales prices, or a combination of all three, business group says

This moratorium is likely to prove the only thing standing between thousands of small businesses and insolvency

Irish experts fear that the fright taken by financial markets reflects fears that the British economy is heading toward a prolonged recession

Further rises in wholesale gas prices will only mean more profits for the energy companies and will likely also lead to energy bill hikes for households

Neil McDonnell says the price surge will be too much pressure for some firms in retail, hospitality, and manufacturing

Any interruption to energy services would "immediately" hit medicine supplies, pharmaceutical representatives have warned.

Small businesses here are experiencing a cost-revenue squeeze on three fronts

Further ECB rate hikes of up to 1.25% are expected — and they would significantly increase the cost of people's home loans

Chartered Accountants Ireland urges Government to review why two big retail banks decided to quit the Irish market

A business lobby group has called on the government to introduce a range of taxation measures ahead of this year’s Budget as it believes recession could be around the corner for Ireland.

Neil McDonnell said the profit margins generated by large retailers in the Republic are larger than those in Britain

A recent survey found two in three businesses believe employers should be allowed access to the vaccine statuses of their staff.

Cheer turns to fear as Ireland is haunted by the Covid flare-up of last Christmas, and by ever-higher energy prices in the new year

I've fond childhood memories of my local shop but, even better, it's still thriving and actively giving back to the community

While the National Minimum Wage will go up to €10.50 in January, this will not be much use to lower paid workers

The HSE estimates there could be as many as 14,000 children out of school as they are a contact of a Covid-19 case

'Employers need to plan for workplace training and induction, organise cleaning and other services'

'After Covid, two main cost headaches for small businesses will be rent and insurance costs.'

Commentators sound alarm bells as the 'two big boys' look set to control 70% of the Irish mortgage market

Survey shows business confidence rose massively by 39% compared to a 33% fall in the fourth quarter of last year

The scheme is being extended until the end of this year, but uptake needs to be boosted

Enhanced role for the HSA also suggested as Cabinet considers how to reopen Irish society and economy safely 

The business group said there was unlikely to be a significant increase in borrowing within the SME sector until businesses have certainty on 2021 and the lifting of pandemic restrictions

BoI, which is 14% owned by the Government, plans to shut 88 of its 257 branches in the Republic, and 15 of its 28 branches in Northern Ireland

Bank of Ireland unveiled plans to close over 100 branches across Ireland as the country's largest lender unveiled the €1. 1bn toll in impaired loans in its first reckoning of the Covid-19 crisis.

UK insurance broker Gallagher last month said its survey suggested businesses in Britain could be open to claims if they had failed to abide by official health guidelines.

NatWest came to the decision after unexpectedly launching a review last year into the future of its 88 branches and €20bn in home loans and corporate lending in the Republic

Irish small firms exporting and importing from Britain will be damaged even if some sort of last-minute deal is struck between the EU and the UK, Isme warns

Many forced to shut their doors for more than 20 weeks due to restrictions, says Retail Excellence

Volunteers ready this time to legally challenge inequity of tax treatment between private and public sector pension savers

Just over 5% of small and medium-sized companies feel they may go out of business within the next month.

Mr McDonnell says the government's restart grants for small businesses during the pandemic is not fit for purpose, and that the government is "fixated" on multinationals.

TDs will discuss the re-opening of the economy with doctors, business leaders and the Department of Business.

Ibec CEO Danny McCoy says "significant measures" will be needed, including reducing social distancing from two metres to one, and an end to the travel quarantine requirement.

Lending schemes to small firms backed by the Government during the Covid-19 crisis have been “paltry” compared with those of the UK and a lot more will be required, Goodbody chief economist Dermot O’Leary has said.

In the shop opposite Scoil Chríost Rí, a pack of Perry’s Crisps cost a silver thruppenny bit, the one with the Irish hare on the back.

Neil McDonnell, CEO of small and medium business group Isme, says it is not appropriate for the call to be made now.

As the country enters phase one of its roadmap to reopening on Monday, there are warnings that face masks are not a “magic shield” from Covid-19 and that there will be teething problems.

Small and micro businesses will be able to avail of up to €10,000 grant aid to help them reopen under a new scheme announced by government.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association's welcoming the Government's guidelines for reopening businesses.

Incoming President of the Irish Hairdressers Federation, Danielle Kennedy, told RTÉ's Today with Sean O’Rourke programme that there had been a huge surge in demand from customers who felt they could not wait until July, when restrictions are expected to be eased on hair salons and barbers.

An further package of Government supports to help firms survive the Covid-19 crisis include an expansion of existing loan funds at reduced interest rates, and more vouchers to help small firms build an online sales presence and tap business advice.

The 270,000 small firms in the State which between them employ 1.1 million are owed an average of €75,000 each — showing the urgency of Government measures to help liquidity for SMEs, business groups have said.

British banks must keep lending to businesses through the coronavirus crisis to ensure viable companies do not fail, the government and Bank of England said, after promising £330bn (€360bn) in loan guarantees.