• Legitimate business being undermined by increase in illegal operators. 
• 40,000 retail jobs in jeopardy as disappointing Retail figures continue. 
• Surge in black market costing jobs.

ISME, Thursday 28^th March 2013.

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has demanded stronger government action to combat illegal trading in the black economy as retail sales continue to stagnate. Reacting to the latest Retail Sales figures issued by the CSO today (Thursday 28^th March), the Association pointed to the continuing decline in legitimate sales, contrasted to the surge in black market activity across a range of products from cigarettes to diesel. Read the rest of this entry »

•    ISME calls on consumers to ‘Buy Irish’ to save local jobs and businesses.
•    Every €10 spent on local products generates €24 in local community.
•    Association encourages retailers to stock and display local products.

ISME, 14th November 2012.

ISME, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association, is calling on consumers to buy locally to safeguard local jobs in the community in the run up to Christmas. Read the rest of this entry »

•    One small step in long road to recovery.
•    Government must also launch its much delayed Credit Guarantee Scheme.
•    Rescued Banks’ refusal rates must be monitored to keep them ‘honest’.

ISME, Thursday 27th September 2012.

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has welcomed the establishment of the long awaited Microfinance Scheme for businesses with less than 10 employees. The announcement by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation of the scheme will give a much needed boost to micro businesses that have been ignored and starved of bank credit since the main banks were bailed out in 2008. Read the rest of this entry »

•    Irish business costs must be benchmarked internationally.

•    Public Sector still too expensive.

•    Government ineffective policies prolonging recession.

ISME, Thursday 13th September 2012

In response to the latest inflation figure of 2% released today (13th September), ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has once again warned of the continuing threat to business competiveness from state controlled costs, which is being masked in the overall figures. The Association called for a full review of relevant business costs, which should be benchmarked internationally.

Read the rest of this entry »

49% OF SMES REFUSED BANK CREDIT IN LAST THREE MONTHS

•    Steady demand at 38% of SMEs seeking bank finance.
•    25% of SMEs who did not make an application because they were discouraged by bank.
•    72% of firms state that bailed-out banks are making it more difficult to access finance.
•    A massive 96% of SME respondents disbelieve bailed-out banks’ claims.
•    Only 4% of SMEs believe Government is making a positive difference to SME lending.
•    Stronger Government intervention required to ensure rescued banks meet their commitments.
•    Government promised Guaranteed and Microfinance schemes must be released.

ISME, Monday 10th September 2012.

The latest ISME Quarterly Bank Watch Survey, issued today, (Monday 10th September) clearly demonstrates that while demand for bank credit is steady at 38%, the refusal rate stands at 49%. The Association called on the Government to immediately demand full and complete disclosure from the bailed out banks on lending to SMEs. Today’s report backs up the recent report from the Central Bank, which confirms what the Association has been stating for years, that access to bank finance is being denied to viable but vulnerable businesses. Read the rest of this entry »

•    Further retail job losses inevitable, as market deteriorates and costs rise.

•    Government stands idly by as crisis deepens.

•    Introduction of Retail Strategy Group demanded.

ISME, Tuesday 28th August 2012.

Reacting to the latest Retail Sales figures issued by the CSO today (Tuesday 28th August), showing an annual decrease of 1.5%, ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, described the retail sector as wretched, outlining that thousands of jobs will continue to be at risk for the foreseeable future unless the Government intervenes to address issues impacting on the sector, particularly the rising costs to business. Read the rest of this entry »

•    SMEs suffer as bailed out banks withhold credit.

•    Banks’ untruths distorting the reality on SME credit issues.

•    ISME calls on Government to pressure bailed out banks to lend.
ISME, Wednesday 22nd August 2012.

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has called on the government to immediately demand full and complete disclosure from the bailed out banks on lending to SMEs. Today’s research from the central bank, once more confirms what the Association has been stating for years, that access to bank finance is being denied to viable but vulnerable businesses. Read the rest of this entry »

•    Dramatic increase in black economy costing State €5 billion.

•    Jobs being lost due to illegal trading.

•    Outdated Social Welfare system adding to problem.

•    Rampant ‘nixer culture’ undercutting legitimate business.

•    ‘Rogue traders’ must be hit with tougher sanctions.

ISME, Wednesday 25th July 2012.

ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, has called on the Government to introduce tougher sanctions on those who avoid taxes on goods and services. The Association warned that rogue traders, cash only merchants and racketeers are ‘killing’ tax compliant small businesses and costing the state billions in unpaid taxes. 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 »

•Shocking retail figures confirm worst fears, as recession continues.
•Little evidence of Government action to stimulate domestic demand.
•Introduction of Retail Strategy Group demanded to assist Retailers.
 

ISME, Monday 28th May 2012.
ISME, the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, reacting to the latest annual reduction of 2.7% in Retail Sales figures issued by the CSO today (Monday 28th May), has demanded that the Government immediately tackle the high cost base under their influence. The Association outlined that retailers were being ‘wiped out’ the length and breadth of the country, due to a deteriorating domestic economy, driven by consumer uncertainty and ever increasing costs. Unless these key issues are addressed, shops will continue to close, jobs will be lost and a key sector supporting local economies will continue to disintegrate. Read the rest of this entry »