Fears that 'hidden debt' could stymie small business after Covid

More than €1bn in tax liabilities is warehoused by SMEs under the Debt Warehousing Scheme, a support scheme for businesses affected by Covid-19 restrictions

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Enterprise, Employment and Trade, Louise O'Reilly: “From speaking with many SMEs and family businesses, there is a fear that ‘hidden debt’, such as warehoused tax debts and commercial rent arrears, could hinder their ability to bounce back to profitability when we exit the current crisis.” Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A mountain of "hidden debt" could hamper any economic recovery, it has been warned.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe told Sinn Féin's Louise O'Reilly in a parliamentary response that over €1bn in tax liabilities is warehoused by SMEs under the Debt Warehousing Scheme, a support scheme for businesses affected by Covid-19 restrictions.