A new three-year strategy launched on Monday by the Small Firms Association (SFA) calls on the Government to explore the establishment of a semi-state bank dedicated to servicing small business. Around 859,000 people are in direct employment in small businesses and 43% of people employed in the private sector work in a small business. The SFA will also "explore the establishment of a semi state bank dedicated to servicing small businesses", and advocate for financial products "aligned to the realities of small business cash flow, investment cycles, and growth stages". “Amid the AI revolution, small businesses also need help to embrace digitisation and digital transformation to compete. Enterprise minister Peter Burke acknowledged small businesses are a "critical part of the modern, innovative economy that Ireland has created.

Source: Irish Examiner January 12, 2026 00:13 UTC