Seanad Public Consultation Committee is seeking your views on fostering and sustaining the Irish SME sector

Interested organisations and individuals are invited to send written submissions to the Committee on this issue. The Committee will review all submissions and may invite a number of the contributors to participate in a meeting with the Committee. The meeting will be held in the Seanad Chamber at Leinster House. When this public process is complete, the Committee intends to publish a report on the matter for consideration by the Seanad and the Government.   

Seanad Leas-Chathaoirleach and Committee Chairman, Senator Paul Coghlan said: “The Seanad Public Consultation Committee hopes that, through this public consultation process, it can create an integrated national strategy proposal document supporting the fostering, growth and sustainability of indigenous Irish SMEs in becoming a key foundation block for the long-term success of the Irish economy."

Senator Pádraig Ó Céidigh has been appointed Rapporteur to lead in the compilation of the Report.

Senator Ó Céidigh said: “The Committee hopes that, through its public consultation, it can identify and evaluate the key challenges for SMEs, such as: access to finance; recruitment and retention of suitably qualified staff; ongoing training/skills development challenges; building strong routes to market; broadband and connectivity; and the cost of doing business in Ireland among other things. We will also be keen to review the existing business environment in Ireland, including the role of State agencies; Government policy; EU policy for SMEs; and finance and banking for business. Finally, we would be interested in considering relevant successful SME national policies in other countries. The Committee will draft and publish a report in which it will make findings and recommendations. When its report has been published, the Committee will seek a debate with the Minister in the Seanad.”

The closing date for receipt of submissions is Wednesday, 5th September, 2018.

You can read more about how to make a submission to the Seanad Public Consultation Committee here https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/committees/submissions/20180621-seanad-public-consultation-committee-invites-submissions-on-small-and-medium-sized-business-in-ireland/