Chambers Ireland has welcomed the announcement of the new Small Business Unit, describing it as a positive step toward supporting SMEs.
Speaking after today’s announcement, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot called for a strategic and collaborative approach to ensure the unit delivers real value:
“We welcome the Small Business Unit which has the potential to make a real difference for small businesses across the country but only if it is designed to complement, not duplicate work capable of being done with limited or no State intervention. The Department should begin by mapping existing services to identify where the real gaps are. In some cases, the private sector is already delivering effective supports, and the unit should be open to partnering with those providers where this makes sense.”
Talbot continued:
“We’re particularly pleased to see the SME Test being applied, which we called for in our election manifestoes last year. Reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses is essential if we want to maintain competitiveness and encourage entrepreneurship. But this can’t be a box-ticking exercise; it needs to be informed by people who understand the day-to-day realities of running a business.”
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that private sector voices are not just consulted, but meaningfully represented within the unit.
“If the unit is to be effective, it must involve people with real-world business experience and it should be defined by clear targets and measurable outcomes. Clearly defined KPIs should be established from day one, ”Talbot said.
Chambers Ireland looks forward to engaging with the Department to ensure the Small Business Unit becomes a meaningful driver of growth and resilience for the small business community.