Tax Firms make push for PRSI rebate scheme to offset rising costsSimon Harris has created an expectation among business owners that a significant support package is on the way this summer
Comment Ian Guider: Government is tone deaf on impact of benefits increases for workers on small firms If we want Scandi levels of entitlements then someone has to pay for it and it shouldn’t be small firms who can’t afford it
Employment Work permits surge 35% in JanuaryNurses, healthcare assistances and doctors were among the candidates most sought last month
News ‘Not going to fly’: Business groups react to Ictu’s call for private sector wage hikes The head of the lobby group said that proposed pay hikes of between 4 and 6 per cent were unnecessary considering the strength of the jobs market and wage growth
Economy ‘Mass closures’ inevitable unless government reduces Vat rate – retail bodyRetail Excellence Ireland criticises ‘punitive’ labour costs imposed by government, including the increased minimum wage, statutory sick pay and legacy tax debt
Companies Mexican burrito chain Tolteca to shutter all four restaurants in DublinThe restaurant chain is the latest food business to close in the reeling hospitality sector
Economy Trade unions slam Ibec’s ‘craven’ call for a pause in minimum wage increasesICTU said that people need to “live as well as work in this economy”
Employment Ibec takes aim at minimum wage hikes as it calls for pause on ‘excessive’ labour cost increasesBusiness representative group said that recent labour market reforms will increase the annual wage bill of Irish businesses by €4 billion
Hospitality The extra costs eating into restaurants’ survival hopesBetween rising wages and inflation, the hospitality sector says many businesses are struggling to stay afloat
Agribusiness Analysis: Food industry braces for impact of government imposed wage hikesIrish food companies have had to grapple with several challenges of late but the most recent is of their government’s own making
Economy Rising wages will put ‘squeeze’ on profits in 2024, Philip Lane warnsThe European Central Bank chief economist forecast that many firms will be unable to pass on increased costs to consumers
Economy Footfall up in Dublin city centre as minister insists government is addressing business needsIncreased Cost of Business Scheme will help alleviate rising costs for firms such as the higher minimum wage, says Neale Richmond
Hospitality Inflation bites: why Ireland’s fine dining restaurants are struggling The shuttering of Richard Corrigan’s Dublin 4 venture after a single year’s trading reveals how the entire restaurant sector is struggling
business New labour laws ‘will add €4,200 per head to Irish firms’ costs’Lobby group RGData asks Varadkar: ‘Just precisely where do you and your government colleagues expect employers to find and fund this extra €4,000 per employee per annum?’
Politics ‘Significant change’ needed to meet living wage target by 2026Low Pay Commission to tell politicians that current minimum wage is ‘well below’ 60 per cent of hourly median wages target
budget 2024 Businesses give thumbs up to budget but minimum wage hike to biteThe state had a significant war chest available and made sure to spend it, with two new state investment funds and a menu of targeted helps for various sectors
Business Post's View SME sector can’t afford to pick up bill for living wage planSuccessive governments have neglected small indigenous business, instead bending over backwards to court FDI
Opinion Ibec’s budget ask: bolster businesses squeezed by living wage increasesSharon Higgins of the business lobby group says policy change will raise firms’ pay bill by a quarter, and create knock-on challenges for firms
Big Read ‘We cannot afford to pay any more than we’re paying now’ – SMEs face perfect storm From hikes in the minimum wage to an increase in the hospitality Vat rate, some say it’s never been harder to be in business
Budget 2024 Government playing ‘reputational high-wire act’ on corporate tax, warns IbecThe business lobbying group has three key priorities for the budget: the National Training Fund, the minimum wage and R&D tax credits