• Combination of Government cost reduction and robust targeted stimulation required.
• Economic uncertainty over Croke Park 2 must be sorted.
• Government must tackle employment inhibitors, including high business costs and welfare constraints.
• Long-term claimants account for a massive 44% of Live Register.

ISME, Thursday 4^th April 2013.

In response to the latest Live Register figures published today (Thursday 4^th April), ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, called on the Government to deliver on its jobs’ promise to ‘get the country moving’. Never was such an effort so urgently required by the economy. The Association however has doubts that the Government’s thinking is sufficiently radical to effect a change. The situation is so serious that it may be necessary to invoke an economic force majeure, whether the unions agree or otherwise with Croke Park 2. Read the rest of this entry »

•    Government’s ‘Plus One’ initiative like the third secret of Fatima.

•    Long-term unemployed must be priority.

•    Simple cash stimulus for additional jobs will kick-start economy.

•    Social welfare system and Black Economy inhibiting new employment.

•    Emigration safety valve must not be relied on in jobs battle.

ISME, Friday 4th January 2013.

Reacting to the live register figures published by the CSO today (Friday 4th January), ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association has demanded the immediate introduction of the Government’s ‘much announced’ Plus One jobs Initiative. The Association outlined that the focus for 2013 must be on addressing the long-term unemployed through a stimulus package aimed at assisting SMEs to retain and create jobs. Read the rest of this entry »

• Budget must focus on jobs.
• Simple cash stimulus for additional jobs will kick-start economy.
• Increasing Long-term unemployed must be priority.
• Social welfare system, as inhibitor of employment, must be ‘fit for purpose’.

ISME, Wednesday 5^th December 2012.

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, in response to the latest Live Register figures released today (Wednesday 5^th December 2012) called for a Budget focussed on jobs and job creation especially for young people. A simple cash refund stimulus package for each new job created would quickly bear fruit in the domestic economy. The Association outlined that future economic growth was predicated on jobs and competitiveness and the Budget was an ideal opportunity to incentivise SMEs to commence re-hiring. Read the rest of this entry »

•    Jobless generation must be Government priority as long term unemployment increases by 4.6%.

•    SMEs hold the key to solving the unemployment crisis.

•    Reduce costs and incentivise employment to kick-start recovery.

ISME, Thursday 1st November 2012.

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has called for renewed effort from Government to tackle the jobless situation by increasing support for SMEs – the main job creators. The Association warned of the long term effects on the economy and the danger of social unrest as the jobless generation increases. Read the rest of this entry »

•    SMEs unable to create jobs, while struggling with increasing costs.

•    Long term unemployment at 45% of total, a national disgrace.

•    Divided Government bereft of ideas, imagination and economic leadership.

ISME, Wednesday 3rd October 2012.

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has called on the Government to provide direct support to SMEs to create and maintain jobs. With the unemployment figures remaining stubbornly high and long term unemployment increasing month on month, the Association called for an immediate overhaul of the ‘dead at birth’ Action Plan for Jobs and a renewed focus on specific and immediate reductions in business and public sector costs. Read the rest of this entry »

•    Jobs initiative not working.
•    Less kite-flying, more real action required.
•    Long term unemployment remains a serious concern at 44%, up from 24% in February 2010.
ISME, Wednesday 5th September 2012.

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has described the latest live register figures published today (5th September) as ‘awful’, showing that the labour market remains in crisis. The Association demanded that tough and unpopular decisions to address chronic unemployment, which have been long-fingered by the coalition, be implemented. Read the rest of this entry »

•Jobs initiative to subsidise employment required.
•Lack of bank finance still hindering SMEs.
•Social welfare system inhibiting job creation.
ISME, Thursday 7th June 2012.

Responding to the unemployment statistics in the latest Quarterly National Household Survey, issued today (Thursday 7th June), ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, described the current unemployment situation as ‘disastrous’. The Association continues to be particularly concerned at the level of long term and youth unemployment, together with the emigration of young people. Read the rest of this entry »

•Long-term unemployed figures continue to rise.

•Social welfare trap a major jobs inhibitor.

•True unemployment figures masked by increased youth emigration.

•Reduce costs and incentivise employment to kick-start recovery.
ISME, Wednesday 30th May 2012.
ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has described the latest Live Register figures, released by the CSO today (Wednesday 30th May) as disappointing and called on the Government to ‘roll up their sleeves’ on the jobs front. The Association expected a concerted effort to tackle the stubborn unemployment situation, now that the Referendum campaign is complete.  Read the rest of this entry »

•High business costs and social welfare system slowing down recovery.

•True unemployment figures masked by increased youth emigration.

•Increase in long-term unemployed a major worry.

•Reduction in costs is only sure way to increase employment.
ISME, Wednesday 2nd May 2012.
ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, while welcoming the slight reduction in unemployment, has called on the Government to address the uncompetitive business costs and generous social welfare benefits in the battle to maintain and create jobs in the SME sector. Comparable costs and social assistance in our competitors are creating an advantage for them in our markets and constraining recovery in Ireland. Read the rest of this entry »

•Concern over increase in long term unemployed as Live Register reduces. 

•Coordinated enterprise policies required to assist job retention and creation.

•Government must tackle employment inhibitors, including high business costs and welfare constraints.
ISME, Wednesday 4th April 2012.

In response to the latest Live Register figures published today (Wednesday 4th April), ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, called on the Government to deliver on its jobs promise by implementing policies to address the ongoing ‘disastrous’ unemployment. Read the rest of this entry »