The Assistant Director of the Small Firms Association (SFA), Linda Barry, yesterday addressed the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation.   
 
Ms Barry warned that Ireland is a high cost location for small firms in terms of labour costs, insurance and Local Authority rates. She has urged the Government to be obsessive about cost competitiveness in context of Brexit.

SFA members have identified labour costs as the number one risk to their businesses over the coming year. The other costs causing greatest concern are insurance costs, which are still rising for many businesses and Local Authority rates. 
 
Speaking yesterday, Ms Barry said, "Ireland is a high cost location for entrepreneurs and established businesses. Many SFA members operate in low margin environments, making it difficult for them to absorb cost increases. Meanwhile, low inflation and customers’ demand for value make it impossible for many businesses to pass cost increases on."

She added, "The Government has access to detailed data and expert analysis on all of these costs, in particular from the National Competitive Council. The SFA is calling on Government to create a stronger link between this information and policy decisions, to ensure that Government is not adding to cost pressures on small businesses."

Source: www.businessworld.ie