New Small Business Unit to support enterprises in Mayo and beyond

A new dedicated Small Business Unit, based in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, is being established to focus specifically on the needs and challenges of small businesses across the country, including Mayo.

Minister of State Alan Dillon welcomed the development, stating: “The establishment of this dedicated unit comes at a crucial time.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our local economies, and it’s essential that we remove unnecessary red tape and avoid placing undue costs or regulatory burdens on them, especially in areas like Mayo.”

He continued: “Since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for Employment, Small Business and Retail, I’ve worked closely with my colleague, Minister Peter Burke, to ensure small businesses are placed front and centre in our policy priorities.

“The Small Business Unit will play a key role in ensuring that small business perspectives are reflected in policymaking. It will rigorously apply the SME Test across all new legislation and regulations, ensuring proposed measures are assessed through the lens of small enterprise impact.

“The unit will also drive the simplification of access to grants and supports through the National Enterprise Hub, and ensure that Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are well-resourced to provide meaningful, on-the-ground assistance to small businesses.”

Minister Dillon added: “Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities. This new unit demonstrates our government’s commitment to reducing bureaucracy, improving access to supports, and ensuring that the voices of SMEs are heard at the highest levels. We are focused on delivering real, practical support that enables small businesses to thrive, grow, and power local economic success."