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ONE IN FIVE small firms expect to take on new permanent staff over the next three months, according to an industry report.
The Small Firms Association’s study of its members found the job market stabilising, with 18 per cent saying they expected staff numbers to decrease before the end of 2011.
Small firms also had a positive outlook for next year, with 26 per cent anticipating a growth in staff numbers and 58 per cent expecting no job losses. However the director of the SFA, Patricia Callan, said the environment for small firms was still very challenging.
“The overall survey results show that the pace of job losses within small businesses has slowed,” she said. “However, the forecast for job creation remains weak.”
The association has called on the Government to provide clarity on future fiscal adjustments under the austerity plan and to focus on spending cuts rather than tax increases as a way of reaching financial targets.
High costs of business are a significant barrier to growth for small firms, the association said.
“Our ability to create jobs has been severely damaged by a loss of competitiveness and the lack of jobs is one of the biggest issues facing the economy,” Callan said. “The key priority is to create an economic environment that is conducive to small business growth and that restores consumer and business confidence.”
The SFA’s third-quarter survey was carried out among 649 companies employing 13,384 people.
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NCSE and Department can dress it up but in reality cuts in resource hours are happening and once again its the children in most need are been hit.
Why can’t government come up with more imaginative ways of cuts then hitting those most in need. One idea no pension for TDs until they reach 67 like they rest of the PAYE sector. Pigs will fly first thou
They’ll want the Firemen to put out more fires with less water next…
How many more would they have if Wallace and co paid their lawful dues
So, let me get this correct, “the NCSE confirmed that demand has increased so teaching hours will be reduced again”. I am so sick and tired of this Government kicking the most vulnerable in society just because they don’t have a strong enough voice or their vote isn’t influential enough. Surely any kid with a learning difficulty will benefit from extra hours or more one-on-one interaction with an SNA. This is not just a benefit for the child with special needs but for the whole class. Of course our Government is too narrow minded or just don’t care about this section of society. There are so many other ways savings can be made in the education system, this is just beneath contempt and morally repugnant.
“Lies, damned lies, and statistics” is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments. Horrific spin is all I can say to Ruairi Quinn & the NCSE.
Ahhh sure..once the poor ole bondhlders get paid, that’s the main thing.
Great to see our caring and Morally bankrupt leaders are prepared to let a vulnerable child sink into the depts as the class moves on and they are left to fend for themselves ,it really is a tragedy to watch as this happens in a classroom ,and they are now telling parents of children that they are not special needs and therefor no help is given and in most cases this decision is taken by a faceless bureaucrat who has never met the child
, but on the bright side at least our Political millionaires are still the best paid in the world ( with expenses ) and we paid 3.4Million euros to their advisors ( if they are that highly paid they must be good, and if they are that good why do they need so many advisors ) they retire with a wad of cash and a massive pension , the bondholders are looked after , we have no accountability in public life and wrong doers walk around with impunity , life in the banana republic is certainly good ,,,,,,,,,,,,, if you are in the elite class
Some spin doctor wrote this as this is not true of the school up by me… Typical the children suffer for the bondholders!
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