The Irish Small & Medium Enterprise Association is seeking reductions in PRSI, local charges and public expenditure in next Tuesday's supplementary Budget.
ISME wants the Government to lower employers' PRSI to 5% on workers earning up to the average industrial wage of €34,000. And they want the current PRSI rate of 10.75% on wages above that level brought down to 10%.
The group is also looking for redistribution in commercial rates and local charges, including the introduction of water charges for all householders and a property tax on second homes.
And in relation to public sector expenditure, ISME believes there is an 'urgent requirement' for cutbacks. It has suggested a two-year recruitment embargo across the public sector.
ISME predicts such action would reduce the number of workers in the public sector by 35,000 when factors such as early retirement are taken into consideration.
Commenting on his organisation's Budget submission, ISME Chief Executive Mark Fielding said: 'Without companies there will be no jobs and without jobs there will be no economy, it's as simple as that.
'It is vital, as witnessed by recent unemployment figures, that policies are introduced to reduce business costs and maintain employment.
'The excessive level of public expenditure also needs to be reined in once and for all, instead of overburdening the economy with tax increases,' he added.
