It’s feared the headcount at small and medium businesses in Clare will begin to shrink unless action is taken to reduce costs in budget 2025.
It comes as the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Council is warning the Government that the proposed 8% increase to the national minimum wage will have a disproportionate impact on smaller firms.
The ISME claims inflation is running at just 2% and that a better option would be to ease the cost of living crisis for employees by incentivising private sector investment to boost rental supply and affordability of housing.
Director of the Ailwee Burren Experience Nuala Mulqueeney insists cost pressures are penalising staff and businesses alike.
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