Our blueprint for the future of small firms

The SFA has a vision for Ireland’s small businesses, but it needs the support of the government and state agencies to reach the end destination, writes Patricia Callan

Patricia Callan, director of the Small Firms Association Pic: Feargal Ward

Small businesses are the backbone of the Irish economy. More than 98 per cent of companies have fewer than 50 employees and, together, they employ half of all private sector workers.

Close to 13,000 new enterprises are established each year and they grow quickly – at the second-fastest rate in Europe, in terms of numbers employed.