BUSINESS owners whose companies have folded need to be supported so they can help the economic recovery and create employment.
Emmet O’Brien, a local election candidate for the Rathkeale/ Adare area, says it was depressing to see so many businesses closed and premises boarded up while canvassing the streets of Askeaton and Rathkeale for the forthcoming local elections.
He also told the Limerick Post that he is shocked at the level of business people who are struggling to keep their businesses afloat.
“I hear it on the doors every day, the anger at political parties is palpable. If this government is serious about helping rural Ireland, it must give the business men and women of rural Adare/ Rathkeale the support to create jobs and stop standing in their way,” Mr O’Brien declared.
The Pallaskenry-based election hopeful insists that small and medium sized businesses are the engine of employment in County Limerick.
“It should be remembered that over 70 per cent of all Irish workers are employed in a small to medium business,” he said.
Mr O’Brien insists that the implementation of a flexible policy towards commercial rates or a rates and utilities amnesty to business people in financial difficulty, would help solve this crisis.
“We also need to provide small businesses with easy access to credit. Lack of credit from banks and lack of real assistance from their County Council is a big hurdle for businesses.
“The government should consider setting up a proper state-owned bank dedicated to helping local businesses and loosen the VAT requirements thereby freeing up cashflow ,” he said.
