Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I first wish Deputy English the very best in his future career. He has been a very hardworking and committed Deputy. He has also been a very friendly Deputy which matters, as does courtesy and so forth. He gave everything as a Minister and I want to acknowledge that. Regarding the issue he raised, there is no doubt there has been an increase in the cumulative cost base of small businesses. That is a very real issue out there at present. Those various increases have all come together: the convergence of the minimum wage to the living wage by 2026, the guidance from the Low Pay Commission has been a factor and the various changes we have made. They are all coming together and it is therefore acknowledged and understood. The report he did at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said it impacted most on the hospitality and retail businesses in particular. ICOB was designed to try to at least alleviate some of those pressures. The new power up grant is also designed to try to alleviate those pressures over the winter period. A total of 29,000 businesses have now signed up for the power up grant. There is €170 million to be made available to small businesses to try to alleviate the pressures put on them. It is an issue that needs constant attention by any new Government in the future, of that there is no doubt.

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