business

Small firms being ‘bounced’ into risk by new state-imposed costs

Firms around the country are set to be hit with a host of new responsibilities that will test the viability of some

David Broderick, head of the Small Firms Association: ‘The debt warehousing itself as an issue is maybe not huge, but [it’s] the timing of the way things are playing out.’ Picture: Fergal Phillips

A raft of new costs on doing businesses imposed by the government are putting small firms at risk of going under, representative groups have warned.

Last week the minimum wage increased by €1.40 €12.70 in what was the second largest rise in the minimum wage to date.

In addition, businesses are having to contend with extra paid sick leave, as well as pension auto-enrolment, which is due to come into effect in the second half ...