Louth senator says Fine Gael to cut costs for businesses within first 100 day
“I have travelled across Louth for the past four years and I have heard loud and clear how business owners are struggling"
Fine Gael has a three point plan to boost business if re-elected to Government, Senator and General Election candidate John McGahon has said.
“Small and family owned businesses the length and breadth of Louth are the backbone of our economy and represent 2 of out of 3 jobs created nationally. Fine Gael if re elected want them to know that we have their back.
“We have a three point plan to support business that Fine Gael will introduce within the first 100 days of Government. We will introduce a package to reduce the VAT rate to 11% for food based hospitality, entertainment and hairdressers, provide a PRSI rebate for SMEs and establish a new energy grant scheme worth €4,000 for retail and hospitality businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of the Irish economy. They are at the heart of every community, fuelling local economies, and providing good quality, stable jobs. They are what keep our main streets alive and we need them to survive.
“I have travelled across Louth for the past four years and I have heard loud and clear how business owners are struggling with costs. Dundalk is a thriving market town but business owner need help and they need certainty.
“That is why Fine Gael will permanently cut the VAT rate to 11% for food based and entertainment businesses, as well as hairdressers, to give these businesses certainty.
“We will introduce a three year PRSI rebate to support employers with lower wage workers. It would mean a flat subsisdy of €12:75 for each worker earning below €592.”
“We will bring in a three-year PRSI rebate for businesses with fewer than 50 staff which could be worth as much as €33,150 for small businesses struggling with rising wages. Any small business like a shop or a café with a small number of employees will benefit from this measure. To help with energy bills, a new Energy + Grant Scheme will be established to give retail and hospitality businesses €4,000 towards their energy costs."
If re-elected, Fine Gael say they will invest over €800 million and will introduce this package within 100 days of Government.
“In addition, it is important to note that the unemployment rate is at a record low of 4% and we have record numbers of people back to work. Everyone deserves to be safe and feel safe in work, and those working in retail are no exception. Fine Gael will develop a Retail Crime Strategy and we will introduce a standalone criminal offence of assaulting a retail worker," continued McGahon.
“Retail and hospitality have undoubtedly been the hardest hit by cost increases over recent years. As well as addressing their cost base, we will work to encourage more people into our towns and villages.
“A fund for ‘over the street’ roofs will encourage people back into towns across Louth even in bad weather, helping more people to live in our towns, as well as creating a diverse night-time economy, will all work to drive footfall back into our town centres.
“If elected, I will drive forward Fine Gael’s plan to back our businesses and ensure Dundalk is a great place to live, work and do business.”