The Programme for Government identifies a number of groups which will be led by Government in shaping the engagement of enterprise and SMEs in the formulation of the policy responses at the different stages of the recovery. These include an SME Growth Taskforce, a time limited body that will design a National SME Growth Plan mapping out an ambitious long-term strategic blueprint beyond COVID-19. This Plan will be brought to Government for approval as part of the National Economic Plan in October.
The work of the Taskforce will be informed by the comprehensive OECD Report on SME and Entrepreneurship Policy in Ireland which was finalised in October 2019. This provides a hugely informative, objective, and deeply-researched evidence base with which to guide the development of the SME Growth Plan.
I will announce the membership of the Taskforce in the coming weeks, which will contain representation from stakeholders with the capacity and expertise to progress work on thematic areas arising from the OECD’s recommendations and the challenges presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic. This will include participation from organisations representing small and local businesses.