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The document, published today, runs to 500 pages.

Mixed reaction to recommendations in tax report

There has been mixed reaction to the recommendations contained in the Commission on Taxation and Welfare report published today.

Business • 14 Sep 22

ISME said that some businesses are facing cost increases of 100% - or more - in their monthly energy bills

ISME calls for more support for SMEs amid energy crisis

ISME has warned that measures announced by the Government to mitigate the impact of rising energy costs for business owners will not be sufficient to avert a crisis this winter.

Business • 23 Aug 22

The CRU has told high energy businesses that it will introduce new tariffs designed to reduce demand

Tariffs lesser of two evils - ISME

Power outages for energy intensive businesses would lead to temporary or permanent closures, according to ISME.

Business • 22 Aug 22

ISME said its new "Finance Finder" tool is a one-stop-shop for funding solutions for Irish small and medium sized enterprises

ISME and Swoop launch new funding tool for SMEs

A new business funding matching tool that aims to improve access to finance for SME businesses here has been launched today by ISME, in partnership with Swoop Funding.

Business • 26 May 22

Pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theatres all have to close at 8pm under the latest Covid curbs (Pic:RollingNews.ie)

ISME calls for 'strategic approach' to Covid curbs

ISME has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin to call for a strategic approach to the management of Covid following the reimposition of public health restrictions this week.

Business • 21 Dec 21

ISME said it was extremely exercised about the short-notice of the announcement of fresh restrictions on Tuesday

ISME concerned about lack of Covid-19 direction

Small and medium sized enterprise organisation ISME has written a strongly worded letter to the Taoiseach to complain about "the apparent drift and lack of control" in the management of the pandemic.

Business • 18 Nov 21

ISME's Neil McDonnell said there is 'a whiff of 2006' of the suggestion that an additional bank holiday is needed

Extra bank holiday must be for 'justifiable reasons'

The chief executive of small firms group ISME said that granting an additional bank holiday next year must be done for "intelligent, justifiable reasons" and not because we have just come through a pandemic.

Business • 24 Sep 21

ISME has said employers should be allowed to ask if employees are vaccinated before deciding if they can return to offices

ISME: Employers want to know if workers are vaccinated

A leading business representative group has said employers should be allowed to ask if employees are vaccinated before deciding if they can return to offices - saying businesses will be acting "irresponsibly" if they fail to do so.

Business • 11 Aug 21

The latest flash survey from ISME comes ahead of the scheduled reopening of indoor hospitality for vaccinated people next Monday

Around 60% of SMEs availing of wage supports - ISME

About six in ten businesses surveyed by the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association said they were availing of one of the government wage subsidy schemes.

Business • 22 Jul 21

The CEO of the Irish Exporters Association said businesses are not prepared for the level of detailed change which will be needed to adapt to climate targets

Govt and business need to engage on climate change

A new social contract, a fairer taxation system, a universal healthcare system and more action on climate change were all raised as part of discussions on the second day of the National Economic Dialogue.

Business • 29 Jun 21

ISME said the PUP should be tapered off faster than currently planned

ISME: PUP acting as a 'brake' on getting workers back

Small and medium sized businesses are warning that the PUP is acting as "a significant brake" on getting workers back in certain sectors of the economy.

Business • 16 Jun 21

The Work Safely Protocol states that a worker does not have to accept the offer of a vaccination

ISME dissatisfied with non-vaccinated workers' guidance

Small firms' body ISME has accused the Government of exposing employers to potential legal action by failing to give them "robust" guidance on handling situations where employees choose not to be vaccinated.

Coronavirus • 27 May 21

Margaret O'Rourke Doherty is also the CEO of the Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (HABIC)

ISME elects new chair and National Council

The Irish SME Association has elected Margaret O'Rourke Doherty as the new Chair of the National Council for the 2021-2023 term.

Business • 25 May 21

ISME chief executive, Neil McDonnell has taken issue with comments by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Holohon

ISME concerned over NPHET remarks on antigen tests

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association (ISME) has written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, expressing concern over the remarks by some NPHET members about antigen tests.

Business • 10 May 21

Based on the report findings, ISME has outlined a number policy changes which it says are required to eliminate the 'Jobs Kill Zone'

ISME calls for policy changes for low income workers

ISME which represents small and medium sized businesses, has carried out a report to examine how state policies are impacting the decision-making of low skill workers with regard to work.

Business • 20 Apr 21

Workers in essential retail continued to work throughout the pandemic

ISME - Govt should hold firm on vaccine prioritisation

The Government should not give in to teachers unions demanding their members are prioritised in the vaccine rollout programme, according to ISME which represents small and medium sized businesses.

Business • 07 Apr 21

The majority of ATMs will not be retained where a Bank of Ireland branch closes (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Bank of Ireland reassures on cash facilities

Bank of Ireland has said that no location will be left without access to financial services or cash facilities after its decision to close 103 branches in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Business • 02 Mar 21

The rate was reduced from 23% to 21% last year as part of the July Stimulus Plan

ISME calls for reduced VAT rate to be maintained

Small and medium sized business representative group, ISME, has called for the reduction in the standard rate of VAT to be maintained beyond the end of this month.

Business • 22 Feb 21

ISME says the State pensions scheme discriminates against private sector workers

ISME plans legal challenge to State pensions scheme

The small firms body ISME is to launch a crowdfunding campaign to fund a legal challenge to the State pensions system on the grounds that it discriminates against private sector workers.

Ireland • 01 Feb 21

Non-essential retailers may be allowed to re-open on December 1 (Pic:RollingNews.ie)

ISME calls for 'more aggressive approach to testing'

Neil McDonnell, the chief executive of ISME, today has welcomed the expected news that non-essential business can re-open on December 1.

Business • 27 Nov 20

ISME has launched its 'Shop Local Not Just for Christmas' campaign

ISME urges consumers to shop locally all year round

The Irish SME Association (ISME) has today launched its "Shop Local Not Just for Christmas" campaign, which highlights the importance of supporting Irish businesses throughout the year.

Business • 09 Nov 20

ISME tells TDs that it believes there are more effective and successful ways to respond to Covid-19, other than a national lockdown

ISME writes to TDs to express lockdown concerns

The Irish SME Association (ISME) has written to all TDs in Ireland to express its grave concern at the latest national "lockdown" due to Covid-19.

Business • 03 Nov 20

John Moran, the Chair of SME Recovery Ireland, said the Budget is a welcome step in providing greater clarity and certainty to Ireland's small business community

Budget 2021 to provide greater clarity for businesses

SME Recovery Ireland said today's Budget marks a big step to help the recovery and sustainability of the country's decimated SME sector.

budget 2021 • 13 Oct 20

ISME CEO Neil McDonnell says he believes that hot desking is a concept that is going to be quite constrained for a considerable time to come

ISME does not see quick return to communal work setting

Neil McDonnell, the chief executive of ISME - which represents small and medium-sized companies - has said he believes it will be easier for employers to ask employees to continue working from home for several months.

Business • 07 Oct 20

ISME says tax relief on private sector pension savings is tax deferred, not tax avoided

ISME considers legal test case over pension tax issue

The association representing small and medium sized businesses here has said its considering taking a test case to the High Court over what it describes as tax discrimination against private sector workers in relation to pension contributions.

Business • 30 Sep 20

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