The Family Business Network calls for formation of a taskforce to combat rising business costs

The Family Business Network is calling on Government to establish a dedicated taskforce to combat the rising cost of doing business in Ireland.

Speaking to RTE News, Executive Director John McGrane stated that “We are calling on the Government to immediately establish a cross departmental business taskforce to develop a clear approach, informed by the views of all stakeholders, to address the spiralling cost of doing business in Ireland with a specific focus on energy and raw materials”.

FBN is also calling for an extension of the tax warehousing scheme, a reduction on the VAT charged on electricity bills and a one-off grant for businesses to offset the cost of energy increases. A one-time scaled grant for indigenous businesses to offset the cost of energy increases, akin to the €200 household payment, would be an additional action that the Family Business Network has advised the Government to consider.

With energy prices increasing by 17.4% and manufacturing costs increasing by 2.8%, FBN believes a dedicated taskforce would aid the Government to identify the increasing costs which are having a negative impact on indigenous Irish businesses.