The latest redundancies figures, which have reached a staggering 335 a day, have been described as ‘dire’ by ISME, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association.
ISME said these figures represent a bad start to the year and projected further job losses, particularly in the next number of months.
The association has castigated the Government for their lack of ideas in addressing an issue that threatens to delay potential growth in the economy.
According to ISME Chief Executive Mark Fielding the country is in a state of flux following a disastrous 2009. Small business owners are indicating that this situation will deteriorate further, with many companies just about hanging on by their fingernails, unless economic conditions improve.
“If the Government is serious about steering the country on the path to growth, they need to realise that a stable jobs market is essential to both confidence and spending, key ingredients to any upturn. What is most disconcerting is that the Government seem to be completely paralysed and bereft of ideas. With the banks and big builder bailouts well in motion, it is now absolutely essential that attention is turned to the biggest threat to the economy, the deteriorating jobs market,” said Mr Fielding.
“Serious action is now needed to address our low levels of confidence, badly damaged competitiveness and international reputation. The Government need to propose and implement a long overdue action plan for the economy’s future, without delay, with job maintenance and creation at the very top of the list,” he advised.
