7. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for an update on the cost of business forum, which was announced in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21680/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

Will the Minister provide an update on the cost of business forum, in particular why so many grants have not been drawn down by small and medium businesses at a time where they are struggling with costs in terms of VAT, rates - including water rates - energy costs, rent and refuse collection costs? The Minister's favourite word is "evidence". There is evidence that at the close of applications for his Department's power up grant in November last year, €12 million was left unclaimed by hospitality and retail businesses. Can he explain why that was the case?

Sentiment score: 0.04

I thank the Minister of State. When he speaks of simplicity and reducing regulation, I want him to look inside Government at the bureaucracy that is stopping businesses which desperately need support from accessing the supports that have been advertised. The increased cost of business, ICOB, and power up grants have been plagued with anomalies in their terms and conditions making it impossible for businesses to access the schemes. Will the cost of business forum, cited in the programme for Government, engage with business representatives to provide accessible schemes which would be of use to businesses? Rather than an over-concentration in terms of the remuneration of workers' rights, the Government should look in the other direction in terms of why businesses cannot access what has been announced for them. Across our cities, towns and villages, many in our constituency of Mayo, businesses have pulled down the shutters. Businesses are really struggling right now and there is much the Government can do that it is not doing.

Sentiment score: 0.14

We need to learn lessons from the design of a lot of these schemes. I recently met the Alliance for Insurance Reform. Its members are extremely concerned by the recommendations of the Judicial Council that awards be increased by 17%. Could the Minister of State confirm whether the Minister for Justice will enable the Dáil to discuss this? I also want to raise with the Minister of State the issue of Enterprise Ireland being precluded from working with businesses with fewer than ten employees. Many smaller businesses work on a contract basis and, therefore, work on a different model. Modern work practices mean that businesses often contract in services such as graphic design, photography or social media support. Such employees are not staff of businesses, nor do they want to be. They are freelance workers. Will the Minister of State examine their status with Enterprise Ireland in order that they can support a greater number of businesses? We need systems that support the models that are being used in businesses in the here and now in order to ensure the sustainability of businesses into the future. We have to have practical and pragmatic support and interventions for businesses.

Sentiment score: 0.30

I am glad that the Department is seeing sense with this because it obviously needed to be addressed. We have been doing grants for long enough and should not be in a situation where these anomalies arise. It concerns me that the Minister of State says he is engaging with the Department of public expenditure, as that can take a long time. I heard it mentioned that we would have the appeals process by autumn but it needs to be much sooner than that. I would contrast this situation with that of businesses that are trying to deal with Revenue, in that there is an inflexibility, particularly where there has been an accumulation of what is owed to Revenue. There needs to be flexibility for businesses, particularly those caught in this trap. It is significant that businesses that are no longer in operation be considered as well. This matter needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I am glad there has been a rowing back on it. It should not have happened in the first place. We recognise that businesses are struggling as it is. The turnaround needs to be immediate.

Sentiment score: 0.10

I am glad this is being discussed in terms of rural poverty. The Minister will completely understand this. I commend Irish Rural Link on the great work it has done in Mayo. It needs to be resourced to do an awful lot more. I will give the Minister an example of a woman I spoke to in Castlebar the other day. She has an appointment in Galway hospital next week. All of her income and benefit for the week will be wiped out because she has to pay for that taxi. She cannot get public transport. We discussed the ins and outs of it, but she just cannot. That is all of her benefit for the week. This is how people are being plunged into poverty. What is she to do for her food, fuel and everything else for that week? It is okay centralising health services and we all need the centres of excellence in certain disciplines, but asking somebody, without any help, to get from Castlebar - never mind from Blacksod - to Galway is impossible. I want the Minister to examine transport, specifically transport from Mayo to Galway hospital.

Sentiment score: 0.06

I welcome the opportunity to say a couple of words on the rural social scheme. I welcome the flexibility the Minister has introduced. I want him to look in particular at meals on wheels. Yesterday, Lorraine from Claremorris, Martina and Peter from Louisburgh and Deirdre from Castlebar were in Leinster House. One of the issues that were raised regarding the RSS was the need to allow two people to get onto the scheme rather than just the herd owner. It is vital. They find that they cannot continue their meals on wheels service without having some flexibility. They want generators as well. As the Minister knows, in Storm Éowyn they were a vital lifeline. If he will give them the flexibility under the RSS to meet the needs of particular rural areas and continue providing these vital services, it would be welcome. I will work with the Minister in trying to get this done.

Sentiment score: 0.28