The environment for SMEs improved slightly in the six months to March, according to a survey conducted on behalf of the Department of Finance.
There was a slight increase in the number of companies increasing staff during the period when compared to the six months to September 2013, according to the Red C survey, while fewer businesses had reduced staff levels in recent months.
The survey also recorded a slight drop in the number of SMEs reporting lower turnover, while the proportion of profit-making enterprises was up.
In terms of credit, Just over a third of businesses surveyed made a request to their lender during the six month period, mainly for cash flow and working capital.
Nearly two thirds of SME credit requests were approved or partially approved, according to the survey, while 15% were declined.
The results of the SME Credit Demand Survey is based on more than 5,000 direct calls to SMEs, according to Red C, and is based on the answers of 1,500 respondents.
