The news this week that the Government intends to increase electricity by 5% in October comes as yet another unwelcome cost base hike to business.
The increase, according to the Government, is due to the public service obligation levy, a charge designed to improve the country’s security of energy supply and to develop renewable energy….scant comfort to businesses already buckling under a raft of charges including commercial rates, water and waste charges.
In the real world any extra charges to business at this time will be at best detrimental and at worst catastrophic. Sure, we appreciate that securing supply and developing renewable energy are good things and must happen but the timing of this proposed increase couldn’t be worse. The Commissioner for Energy Regulation says that if the levy is postponed consumers will have to pay more later…
But it’s the here and now that concerns businesses at the moment. It’s keeping afloat and providing jobs. The possibility of lower bills in the longer term doesn’t cut any ice with businesses trying to pay today’s bills.
The increases will also hit the bottom line of our larger businesses and particularly those in the manufacturing sector. For a country whose cost base is perceived already as being high (in fact Ireland has the fourth highest electricity charges in the EU), this will not help in attracting future foreign direct investment to locate here. The IDA have already expressed their concerns regarding the increase which will of course make their job of attracting foreign direct investment significantly more difficult.
On a more positive note, it’s good to be able to offer something for nothing to businesses… a reminder that those SMEs who wish to provide a work placement to a participant on the WebActivate programme this autumn, Galway Chamber as the Galway business link along with Galway provider GTI invites SMEs to apply to take a work placement. Chamber Members will receive a brochure with an application form attached in this week’s mailout and details are also available on www.webactivate.ie Remember participant WebActivators do not need to be accommodated in the place of business. Rather they are empowered to work independently, equipped with a notebook computer and software, 3G broadband and mobile and technical support. Thus equipped they will create a web presence that will enable the host SME to grow its business through the web, using the internet to reach and drive customers to the business.
Congratulations to the Salthill Village Festival which was launched in the Galway Business School at the weekend. The Festival itself will take place this year on the weekend of August 21 and 22 and will host among other events, a giant tea dance, a vintage car rally, DJ’s in the marquee, a ghost run, fire juggling, ice sculpting, giant jenga, poetry, literature, art, windsurfing, diving, salsa, capoeira and lots more. This is a great family festival and as the organisers say: ‘It’s Free by the Sea’. We wish all our members in Salthill every success with this initiative. www.salthillvillage.com
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Galway Independent Column - August 4th 2010
We’ve come a long way from the first racing festival held in Ballybrit on Tuesday, 17th August 1869 when the two-day event heralded what would become the modern phenomenon that is The Galway Racing Festival.
Last week saw a city alive with people, with fun, with colour, with good humour and was truly an advertisement for what Galway does really well. Yet again, congratulations to John Maloney, to his team in Ballybrit and to the Race Committee.
But congratulations also to the Galway business community, to the hospitality industry, to the shopkeepers, to each and every employee who made it such a good week for the visitors and Galwegians alike. Each smile, each courtesy made the week better for someone. We’re now into the final month of voting for ‘Galway’s Best Awards’ winners, the new customer service excellence awards supported by Failte Ireland and Galway Chamber, sponsored by the Central Park Group and in association with Heineken. The aim of the awards is to find the best Hotel, Café, Restaurant, Pub, Fashion Retailer, and Festival/Event as voted by the public. Last week was a great opportunity for businesses to make their mark with the public.
We would like to commend those establishments that stuck to their normal prices…we still purchased our takeout coffee at €2, we enjoyed a great lunch with enormous choice, for €10 including excellent coffee and there was lots more. Yes, we were asked to comment on ‘rip-off Galway’, as we are every year and we replied by talking about ‘Choice’. The Oxford Dictionary definition of the word ‘Choice’ is …an act of choosing between two or more possibilities. We all have choice. When we go to a new place as a visitor we have choice. We check out the various possibilities and then we make our (informed) choice. We choose what we do, we choose where to eat, sleep, drink, socialise, shop etc.
There was value to be had in Galway last week in terms of accommodation. There were also some very expensive options available…we have choice. Some chose the expensive options, some didn’t but there was a choice. There is a ‘supply and demand’ situation going on here. If people will pay the higher rates and are happy to do so, then why wouldn’t the provider charge them? There is a competitive element, prices must compete at the lower and the higher ends of the scale. There are also many extra overheads in the hospitality sector that feed into the racegoer’s overall experience, extra staff, late bars, entertainment etc.
Eating out offered many possibilities last week, from takeout ‘on the hoof’ to pub grub, to a gourmet experience (which is not to say that a gourmet experience can’t happen in a pub, because it can!), the choice was there. The race course roast beef sandwich has made many a punter very happy over the years and long may it continue.
Essentially the Galway Racing Festival is a festival for everyone. That’s what has made it unique. You never know who you’re going to meet at the racecourse or around the town. There’s room for everybody and a welcome for everybody. There’s loads of entertainment, most of it free and an atmosphere that you just couldn’t buy. The Galway Racing Festival gets it right. It was a great idea back in 1869 and it was great last week. Well done to everyone involved.
Last week saw a city alive with people, with fun, with colour, with good humour and was truly an advertisement for what Galway does really well. Yet again, congratulations to John Maloney, to his team in Ballybrit and to the Race Committee.
But congratulations also to the Galway business community, to the hospitality industry, to the shopkeepers, to each and every employee who made it such a good week for the visitors and Galwegians alike. Each smile, each courtesy made the week better for someone. We’re now into the final month of voting for ‘Galway’s Best Awards’ winners, the new customer service excellence awards supported by Failte Ireland and Galway Chamber, sponsored by the Central Park Group and in association with Heineken. The aim of the awards is to find the best Hotel, Café, Restaurant, Pub, Fashion Retailer, and Festival/Event as voted by the public. Last week was a great opportunity for businesses to make their mark with the public.
We would like to commend those establishments that stuck to their normal prices…we still purchased our takeout coffee at €2, we enjoyed a great lunch with enormous choice, for €10 including excellent coffee and there was lots more. Yes, we were asked to comment on ‘rip-off Galway’, as we are every year and we replied by talking about ‘Choice’. The Oxford Dictionary definition of the word ‘Choice’ is …an act of choosing between two or more possibilities. We all have choice. When we go to a new place as a visitor we have choice. We check out the various possibilities and then we make our (informed) choice. We choose what we do, we choose where to eat, sleep, drink, socialise, shop etc.
There was value to be had in Galway last week in terms of accommodation. There were also some very expensive options available…we have choice. Some chose the expensive options, some didn’t but there was a choice. There is a ‘supply and demand’ situation going on here. If people will pay the higher rates and are happy to do so, then why wouldn’t the provider charge them? There is a competitive element, prices must compete at the lower and the higher ends of the scale. There are also many extra overheads in the hospitality sector that feed into the racegoer’s overall experience, extra staff, late bars, entertainment etc.
Eating out offered many possibilities last week, from takeout ‘on the hoof’ to pub grub, to a gourmet experience (which is not to say that a gourmet experience can’t happen in a pub, because it can!), the choice was there. The race course roast beef sandwich has made many a punter very happy over the years and long may it continue.
Essentially the Galway Racing Festival is a festival for everyone. That’s what has made it unique. You never know who you’re going to meet at the racecourse or around the town. There’s room for everybody and a welcome for everybody. There’s loads of entertainment, most of it free and an atmosphere that you just couldn’t buy. The Galway Racing Festival gets it right. It was a great idea back in 1869 and it was great last week. Well done to everyone involved.
Galway Independent Column - July 28th 2010
It is becoming ever more apparent that to establish trading in the Digital Economy all Irish SMEs (Small to Medium Enterprises), from sole-trader to micro to medium sized, need to have an online digital presence. This means using at least the minimum digital channel of a ‘Google friendly’ website to reach and drive customers to a particular business.
Galway Chamber has long been an advocate of the internet as a marketing tool for business and we set up our website www.shopgalway.com in 2005 to allow business to promote their special offers in a free and user friendly way.
A report on Information Society and Telecommunications (ICT) released by the CSO in December 2009 shows that while 95% of enterprises had a computer connected to the internet only 66% had a website or homepage.
Businesses will need increasingly high levels of skills and greater technical capability to respond effectively to the opportunities and threats posed by globalisation and advances in digital technology.
With this in mind, WebActivate is an innovative programme designed by Digital Skills Academy and delivered in partnership with the Digital Hub, the Chambers of Commerce and leading Further Education Colleges in the participating cities. In Galway the partners are Galway Technical Institute and Galway Chamber.
The programme is funded by the government Labour Market Activation Fund and the courses are free of charge to participants. There are no fees or charges for the SMEs providing work placements in the programme.
Digital Skills Academy: is based in the Digital Hub in the heart of Dublin. Building on many decades of accumulated experience in Internet & Digital Media, the Academy offers the highest standard of multidisciplinary training in digital skills.
Galway Chamber invites SME members to express an interest in providing work placements for course participants.
The WebActivate programme will provide participants with specific skills in digital media, and allied sectors, along with broader e-skills increasingly in demand across all industry sectors. WebActivate is a high-quality training programme delivered by an expert group of quality assured trainers. The aim is to equip participants with the necessary skills to effectively design and publish websites for businesses with no previous online presence.
This will be achieved through completion of a suite of FETAC modules which ensure proficiency in internet publishing and on-line marketing. Among other, these modules include: Internet publishing, iMarketing, Social media marketing, Publishing Google Maps, Digital photography & web publishing
Participants will also be trained as trainers so that they will be in a position to transfer their newly acquired skills and learning into the businesses with which they are placed.
Work placements will commence at the end of September 2010.
Following their 6 weeks ‘In-Centre’ training, each participant will spend 12 weeks with 3 different SMEs. In this time they will create websites and coach employees on how to maximise business via their newly achieved web presence at no cost to the employer.
During work placement the course participants will attend their designated training centres one day a week for classes, ongoing mentoring and coaching from their expert trainers. Each participant will be equipped with a Notebook computer, software and 3G broadband, all of which are provided through the WebActivate programme. Anyone interested in hosting trainee placements and “Web-Activating” their business should contact Maeve Joyce at Galway Chamber on 091 563536
Galway Chamber has long been an advocate of the internet as a marketing tool for business and we set up our website www.shopgalway.com in 2005 to allow business to promote their special offers in a free and user friendly way.
A report on Information Society and Telecommunications (ICT) released by the CSO in December 2009 shows that while 95% of enterprises had a computer connected to the internet only 66% had a website or homepage.
Businesses will need increasingly high levels of skills and greater technical capability to respond effectively to the opportunities and threats posed by globalisation and advances in digital technology.
With this in mind, WebActivate is an innovative programme designed by Digital Skills Academy and delivered in partnership with the Digital Hub, the Chambers of Commerce and leading Further Education Colleges in the participating cities. In Galway the partners are Galway Technical Institute and Galway Chamber.
The programme is funded by the government Labour Market Activation Fund and the courses are free of charge to participants. There are no fees or charges for the SMEs providing work placements in the programme.
Digital Skills Academy: is based in the Digital Hub in the heart of Dublin. Building on many decades of accumulated experience in Internet & Digital Media, the Academy offers the highest standard of multidisciplinary training in digital skills.
Galway Chamber invites SME members to express an interest in providing work placements for course participants.
The WebActivate programme will provide participants with specific skills in digital media, and allied sectors, along with broader e-skills increasingly in demand across all industry sectors. WebActivate is a high-quality training programme delivered by an expert group of quality assured trainers. The aim is to equip participants with the necessary skills to effectively design and publish websites for businesses with no previous online presence.
This will be achieved through completion of a suite of FETAC modules which ensure proficiency in internet publishing and on-line marketing. Among other, these modules include: Internet publishing, iMarketing, Social media marketing, Publishing Google Maps, Digital photography & web publishing
Participants will also be trained as trainers so that they will be in a position to transfer their newly acquired skills and learning into the businesses with which they are placed.
Work placements will commence at the end of September 2010.
Following their 6 weeks ‘In-Centre’ training, each participant will spend 12 weeks with 3 different SMEs. In this time they will create websites and coach employees on how to maximise business via their newly achieved web presence at no cost to the employer.
During work placement the course participants will attend their designated training centres one day a week for classes, ongoing mentoring and coaching from their expert trainers. Each participant will be equipped with a Notebook computer, software and 3G broadband, all of which are provided through the WebActivate programme. Anyone interested in hosting trainee placements and “Web-Activating” their business should contact Maeve Joyce at Galway Chamber on 091 563536
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Galway Independent Column - July 21st 2010
There was good news this week for companies involved in research, when Commissioner Maire Geoghegan-Quinn announced the latest EU round of financial support for research and innovation. €6.4 billion is to be spent over the next 14 months.
Under the EU’s Framework Programme 7 (FP7), Irish scientists and companies involved in research can apply to the programme for funding. Under the programme support is given for collaborative research conducted with public and private sector research partners in other EU countries. The monies will be allocated to SME’s as well as larger organisations and will act as a much needed financial stimulus
The package, the biggest ever, covers a vast range of scientific disciplines, public policy areas and commercial sectors. This funding is intended to advance scientific boundaries, increase European competitiveness and help solve societal challenges such as climate change, energy and food security, health and an ageing population. Around 16 000 participants from research organisations, universities and industry, including about 3 000 SMEs, will receive funding. Grants will be awarded through calls for proposals and evaluations over the next 14 months. This package is expected to create more than 165 000 jobs and is a long-term investment in a smarter, sustainable and more inclusive Europe. It is a key element within the EU's Europe 2020 Strategy and in particular the Innovation Union flagship initiative, which will be launched in autumn 2010.
Announcing the funding Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn said that it would speed up the innovation process from research to retail and would give Europe a competitive edge. Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan TD encouraged Irish researchers, particularly from SME’s to apply for the funding which, he said, would allow them to use research to improve their competitiveness and grow their business.
Galway Chamber has consistently called on Government to support innovation and to foster a culture of research and development in particular in the SME sector. In our most recent Pre Budget Submission to the Minister for Finance we said that Government must put measures in place to allow Ireland Inc. to compete, innovate and grow while sustaining employment, supporting Irish companies and continuing to attract foreign direct investment. We have also lobbied to encourage Research & Development activity through the R&D tax credit.
Further information on the Framework Programme 7 (FP7) can be found on www.ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/
Speaking of innovation, congratulations to Macnas on their spectacular Wild Hunt parade on Sunday and while the Galway Arts Festival comes to a close this weekend we look forward to the Galway Racing Festival starting on Monday. Last year over 150,000 people attended the summer festival meeting and we look forward to a successful festival again this year.
Under the EU’s Framework Programme 7 (FP7), Irish scientists and companies involved in research can apply to the programme for funding. Under the programme support is given for collaborative research conducted with public and private sector research partners in other EU countries. The monies will be allocated to SME’s as well as larger organisations and will act as a much needed financial stimulus
The package, the biggest ever, covers a vast range of scientific disciplines, public policy areas and commercial sectors. This funding is intended to advance scientific boundaries, increase European competitiveness and help solve societal challenges such as climate change, energy and food security, health and an ageing population. Around 16 000 participants from research organisations, universities and industry, including about 3 000 SMEs, will receive funding. Grants will be awarded through calls for proposals and evaluations over the next 14 months. This package is expected to create more than 165 000 jobs and is a long-term investment in a smarter, sustainable and more inclusive Europe. It is a key element within the EU's Europe 2020 Strategy and in particular the Innovation Union flagship initiative, which will be launched in autumn 2010.
Announcing the funding Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn said that it would speed up the innovation process from research to retail and would give Europe a competitive edge. Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan TD encouraged Irish researchers, particularly from SME’s to apply for the funding which, he said, would allow them to use research to improve their competitiveness and grow their business.
Galway Chamber has consistently called on Government to support innovation and to foster a culture of research and development in particular in the SME sector. In our most recent Pre Budget Submission to the Minister for Finance we said that Government must put measures in place to allow Ireland Inc. to compete, innovate and grow while sustaining employment, supporting Irish companies and continuing to attract foreign direct investment. We have also lobbied to encourage Research & Development activity through the R&D tax credit.
Further information on the Framework Programme 7 (FP7) can be found on www.ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/
Speaking of innovation, congratulations to Macnas on their spectacular Wild Hunt parade on Sunday and while the Galway Arts Festival comes to a close this weekend we look forward to the Galway Racing Festival starting on Monday. Last year over 150,000 people attended the summer festival meeting and we look forward to a successful festival again this year.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Galway Independent Column - July 14th 2010
In a recent survey of Galway Chamber Members, results of which will be published in the coming weeks, ‘Access to Credit’ was ranked as the second most important in a list of fifteen ‘Pressing business issues’ facing members. The importance of this issue to business in this country is underlined by the fact that Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keefe TD supported by Junior Minister Dara Calleary will be in Galway this week to embark on a fresh round of meetings with the business community around the country on the issue of bank credit availability.
The purpose of the meeting is for Ministers O’Keeffe and Calleary to hear at first hand the views and experiences of local businesses on access to bank lending. This full exchange of views aims to facilitate a greater understanding of the issue at both regional and national levels, giving an indication of how matters have changed since last year, when Minister O’Keeffe met with the group in the first instance.
Galway Chamber will be represented at the meeting by our President Paul Shelly with members of the Chamber Council in the SME sector, who will put the experiences and views of Chamber members to the Ministers and who will continue to press for easier access to credit for SMEs.
The Ministers must be made fully aware that credit difficulties have made successful businesses go to the wall since last year and while we welcome An Taoiseach’s global message this week of Ireland ‘turning the corner’ with the launch of his €500 million ‘Innovation Fund Ireland’ in New York, Galway Chamber will continue to lobby strongly for our members in their particular areas of need. This meeting with Ministers O’Keefe and Calleary is part of that process.
Galway Chamber continues to be committed to make Galway a better business environment for our members and with this in mind we are supporting a range of activities that will allow our members to access extra help for their businesses. One of the ways in which we’re doing this is by facilitating projects under the Labour Market Activation Fund operated by the Department of Education and Skills.
For many businesses the ability to hire new employees to tackle a specific project or to deal with outstanding work is not a runner while financial pressures remain. The Begin Again programme being offered by ICBE, Irish Centre for Business Excellence, initiated by the Labour Market Activation Fund, allows employers to take on an experienced and qualified individual for work experience.
This experienced and qualified individual who has been made redundant (for at least 3 months) will undertake placement experience for 12 weeks at no additional cost to the business. The individual placed in the company retains all Social Welfare benefits while gaining valuable experience and furthering his/her networking activities. To ensure both the company and the individual maximise this opportunity both mentoring support and training will be provided. This would appear to be a win all round situation so if you’re a business owner or unemployed (for at least 3 months) and want to learn more about this programme contact Paula Crowley on 091-755736/paula@leapadvisors.ie.
The purpose of the meeting is for Ministers O’Keeffe and Calleary to hear at first hand the views and experiences of local businesses on access to bank lending. This full exchange of views aims to facilitate a greater understanding of the issue at both regional and national levels, giving an indication of how matters have changed since last year, when Minister O’Keeffe met with the group in the first instance.
Galway Chamber will be represented at the meeting by our President Paul Shelly with members of the Chamber Council in the SME sector, who will put the experiences and views of Chamber members to the Ministers and who will continue to press for easier access to credit for SMEs.
The Ministers must be made fully aware that credit difficulties have made successful businesses go to the wall since last year and while we welcome An Taoiseach’s global message this week of Ireland ‘turning the corner’ with the launch of his €500 million ‘Innovation Fund Ireland’ in New York, Galway Chamber will continue to lobby strongly for our members in their particular areas of need. This meeting with Ministers O’Keefe and Calleary is part of that process.
Galway Chamber continues to be committed to make Galway a better business environment for our members and with this in mind we are supporting a range of activities that will allow our members to access extra help for their businesses. One of the ways in which we’re doing this is by facilitating projects under the Labour Market Activation Fund operated by the Department of Education and Skills.
For many businesses the ability to hire new employees to tackle a specific project or to deal with outstanding work is not a runner while financial pressures remain. The Begin Again programme being offered by ICBE, Irish Centre for Business Excellence, initiated by the Labour Market Activation Fund, allows employers to take on an experienced and qualified individual for work experience.
This experienced and qualified individual who has been made redundant (for at least 3 months) will undertake placement experience for 12 weeks at no additional cost to the business. The individual placed in the company retains all Social Welfare benefits while gaining valuable experience and furthering his/her networking activities. To ensure both the company and the individual maximise this opportunity both mentoring support and training will be provided. This would appear to be a win all round situation so if you’re a business owner or unemployed (for at least 3 months) and want to learn more about this programme contact Paula Crowley on 091-755736/paula@leapadvisors.ie.
Galway Independent Column - July 7th 2010
Having written last week about the tentative economic growth being experienced in the country it is heartening to see that this week the country appears to be over the recession (that dreadful word) but facing lengthening dole queues. Therefore it would seem to be premature to welcome the end of the recession while greater unemployment looms.
That is why we have consistently lobbied Government on job creation and the culture that attracts jobs. This includes investment in our third and fourth level educational institutions which continues to prove so successful for Galway. We welcome unreservedly the news that Merit Medical has announced an expansion which will create 100 jobs over the next year. This is a boost to the local economy and again underpins Galway’s role as a hub in the life sciences sector. Each time we have the opportunity to welcome investment in Galway, the point is made that the availability of a highly trained, skilled workforce is key to attracting investment. Announcing the Merit Medical investment, CEO of the company referred to the ‘skill set of the existing Irish management team’ as a decision maker in Merit’s location choice.
Galway Chamber continues to provide relevant skills training for members and to this end has recently partnered with the Institute for Professional Selling (IPS) to offer IPS educational programmes to Chamber members. In any business sales are key and sales training has now more than ever become critical to business.
The Institute was launched in Jan 2010 by the then Minister for Education Batt O’ Keefe TD and since then it has formed strategic alliances with many of Irelands leading business organisations to promote the profession of sales.
IPS offers a suite of accredited sales qualifications aimed at each level within the sales profession from entry level to sales director with the qualifications designed to improve both people and process.
Each qualification has ECTS (European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System) credits attached which allows for the transfer of learning experiences between different institutions, greater student mobility and more flexible routes to degree and to further higher education levels.
The timing for this initiative is excellent. In order for Irish companies to regain competitiveness our sales force must have the skills to adapt and compete in changing economic circumstances.
The IPS Pathway to Professionalism in Selling consists of accredited academic programmes that allow salespeople, managers, trainers and coaches to match their career and their academic aspirations. The collaboration between academia and business in an independent structure will ensure that all of the programmes offered remain innovative, current and relevant while maintaining the rigour and balance of an internationally recognised quality assurance process.
Galway Chamber will send details of the Institute for Professional Selling’s courses to members and for more information on this or any other business matter, please contact us on 091 563536.
That is why we have consistently lobbied Government on job creation and the culture that attracts jobs. This includes investment in our third and fourth level educational institutions which continues to prove so successful for Galway. We welcome unreservedly the news that Merit Medical has announced an expansion which will create 100 jobs over the next year. This is a boost to the local economy and again underpins Galway’s role as a hub in the life sciences sector. Each time we have the opportunity to welcome investment in Galway, the point is made that the availability of a highly trained, skilled workforce is key to attracting investment. Announcing the Merit Medical investment, CEO of the company referred to the ‘skill set of the existing Irish management team’ as a decision maker in Merit’s location choice.
Galway Chamber continues to provide relevant skills training for members and to this end has recently partnered with the Institute for Professional Selling (IPS) to offer IPS educational programmes to Chamber members. In any business sales are key and sales training has now more than ever become critical to business.
The Institute was launched in Jan 2010 by the then Minister for Education Batt O’ Keefe TD and since then it has formed strategic alliances with many of Irelands leading business organisations to promote the profession of sales.
IPS offers a suite of accredited sales qualifications aimed at each level within the sales profession from entry level to sales director with the qualifications designed to improve both people and process.
Each qualification has ECTS (European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System) credits attached which allows for the transfer of learning experiences between different institutions, greater student mobility and more flexible routes to degree and to further higher education levels.
The timing for this initiative is excellent. In order for Irish companies to regain competitiveness our sales force must have the skills to adapt and compete in changing economic circumstances.
The IPS Pathway to Professionalism in Selling consists of accredited academic programmes that allow salespeople, managers, trainers and coaches to match their career and their academic aspirations. The collaboration between academia and business in an independent structure will ensure that all of the programmes offered remain innovative, current and relevant while maintaining the rigour and balance of an internationally recognised quality assurance process.
Galway Chamber will send details of the Institute for Professional Selling’s courses to members and for more information on this or any other business matter, please contact us on 091 563536.
Galway Independent Column - June 30th 2010
Just last week the government launched a new initiative to help employers create jobs. The Employer Job (PRSI) Incentive Scheme has been set up to help employers to create jobs and get people back to work.
Aimed at taking people who have been unemployed for six months or more off the Live Register, the scheme, according to the government, will save an employer in the region of €3,000 from the annual cost of employing an additional worker by exempting the employer from paying employers PRSI for 12 months from the date of approval of the full time position.
Launching the scheme An Taoiseach said that the measure is being deliberately targeted at those who have been unemployed for six months or more as the proportion of people who return to employment after a short period out of work remains relatively high but after 6 months on the Live Register there is a danger that people will drift into long-term unemployment. Therefore the scheme will only be available for new employees who have been unemployed for 6 months or more.
The scheme will be administered by the department of Minister for Social Protection, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, and will be pertinent to any new job created in 2010 which employed a person who had been unemployed for 6 months or more. The government hopes that this initiative will create several thousand jobs.
Obviously, Galway Chamber welcomes any initiative that makes it easier for an employer to employ and any initiative that cuts employers costs but one wonders whether or not many employers are in a position to take on staff even with the exemption in PRSI.
Could the government come up with an initiative to safeguard existing jobs as well as creating new positions? Most employers are still struggling regardless of what the recent economic outlooks say. (Bloxham Stockbrokers Irish Quarterly Economic Outlook June 21 expects the economy to grow by 0.5% on a Gross Domestic Product basis) Now would be a good time, for example, to revisit local government funding and its reform. The double taxation, both unfair and inequitable, that is Commercial Rates, needs attention. It can no longer be used to balance the books for local authorities. Government needs to get its think tanks working on this before a winter of discontent sets in with businesses frankly being unable to pay their rates bill resulting in staff layoffs and ultimately closure. A closed business can’t take on staff, regardless of any PRSI exemptions.
For more information on the Employer PRSI Incentive Scheme see www.welfare.ie
Aimed at taking people who have been unemployed for six months or more off the Live Register, the scheme, according to the government, will save an employer in the region of €3,000 from the annual cost of employing an additional worker by exempting the employer from paying employers PRSI for 12 months from the date of approval of the full time position.
Launching the scheme An Taoiseach said that the measure is being deliberately targeted at those who have been unemployed for six months or more as the proportion of people who return to employment after a short period out of work remains relatively high but after 6 months on the Live Register there is a danger that people will drift into long-term unemployment. Therefore the scheme will only be available for new employees who have been unemployed for 6 months or more.
The scheme will be administered by the department of Minister for Social Protection, Éamon Ó Cuív TD, and will be pertinent to any new job created in 2010 which employed a person who had been unemployed for 6 months or more. The government hopes that this initiative will create several thousand jobs.
Obviously, Galway Chamber welcomes any initiative that makes it easier for an employer to employ and any initiative that cuts employers costs but one wonders whether or not many employers are in a position to take on staff even with the exemption in PRSI.
Could the government come up with an initiative to safeguard existing jobs as well as creating new positions? Most employers are still struggling regardless of what the recent economic outlooks say. (Bloxham Stockbrokers Irish Quarterly Economic Outlook June 21 expects the economy to grow by 0.5% on a Gross Domestic Product basis) Now would be a good time, for example, to revisit local government funding and its reform. The double taxation, both unfair and inequitable, that is Commercial Rates, needs attention. It can no longer be used to balance the books for local authorities. Government needs to get its think tanks working on this before a winter of discontent sets in with businesses frankly being unable to pay their rates bill resulting in staff layoffs and ultimately closure. A closed business can’t take on staff, regardless of any PRSI exemptions.
For more information on the Employer PRSI Incentive Scheme see www.welfare.ie
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