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ISME response to Budget 2023

ISME has expressed its disappointment at the lack of direct support for SME’s in Budget 2023. While welcoming the positive measures announced today to tackle the rising cost of living, ISME is concerned that the measures announced to support businesses may be insufficient to protect many retail, leisure, manufacturing and hospitality businesses over the next year.

ISME’s summarized notes for Budget 2023: 

  • Budget 2023 at €11bn is an enormous budget.
  • However, it is clear that the inflation mitigation measures predominate.
  • There is help for renters in the form of a €500 per annum rental credit. However, with a 97% flight of rental accommodation over the last 10 years, there are no supply-side supports for rental accommodation.
  • The ending of the 9% VAT rate in early 2023 is most regrettable, and an opportunity lost to address inflation in services costs.
  • The increase in the standard rate cut-off to €40,000 is long overdue and most welcome but will still mean that people earning €5,432 below the average industrial wage will be paying tax at the marginal rate.
  • There are no changes to the CAT or CGT regimes, but there is reform promised on the KEEP scheme, which has failed to function since its enactment.
  • The 10% levy on concrete products will severely impact the cost of construction at a time when construction input prices are already high.
  • The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) energy support of 40% is welcome, but may be insufficient to protect many retail, leisure, manufacturing and hospitality businesses over the next year.
  • The TBESS is the only substantial direct support to SMEs in Budget 2023.
  • With expenditure in our health service set to exceed €23bn for the first time in 2023, it is clear that both the HSE and the Sláintecare plan is in need of external examination and validation. We believe an expert team should be assigned to review current and capital expenditure in our health service to ensure efficient and effective use of resources, and secure the best outcomes for the citizens who avail of its services.