Reacting to the proposed 5% increase in the National Minimum Wage by the Low Paid Commission, SFA Director David Broderick said:
“The proposed increase in the National Minimum Wage flies in the face of reality. Spiralling business costs are impeding small businesses from hiring more staff, expanding operations and making further investments into their businesses. Many small businesses will not be able to cope with this latest hike in the minimum wage as it will raise all other wage brackets on a pro rata basis.
“The minimum wage has increased every year since 2017. After several turbulent years, what small business owners need now is breathing space. If government choses to accept this proposal, it will suffocate small businesses.”
“The Small Firms Association has renewed its call for the Government to introduce a temporary PRSI rebate in Budget 2026 to help small business owners cope with rising labour costs. The SFA has been calling for this rebate for over a year and has included it in its recent pre-budget submission. Failure to act on this will devastate the livelihoods of small owners in communities across the country.”
