Small and Medium Enterprises
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-19
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Peter Burke (FG), Longford-Westmeath

I focus on evidence. I refer, for example, to the measures that were taken in budget 2026, such as the reduction in the VAT rate for the hospitality sector. We are giving the sector 4.5% on its margin to assist with its costs and we are saying that we need 7% growth right across the tourism sector under our strategy, A New Era for Irish Tourism. We have also reduced energy costs with the 9% VAT rate on gas and electricity. We have increased the loan limit available from Microfinance Ireland to €50,000 for low-cost loans into the sector and will be coming forward with a working capital programme to succeed the growth and stability loan of €500 million, which was utilised late last year. We also increased the innovation voucher to €10,000. Critically, we reduced a host of conditions for sustainability grants like the energy-efficiency scheme, which gives €10,000, or 75% of the cost, to small businesses like local shops and butchers. Such small businesses on the high street are so important to the fabric of rural life. We will keep doing that and keep working to ensure we do our best to reduce those key costs for businesses.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-19