Ennis Chamber welcomes Economic Recovery Plan
Ennis Chamber together with fellow chambers across the Irish Chambers regional network welcomed the Government ‘Recovery Plan’, announced today (June 01, 2021).
Confirmation by Government that it will extend key COVID supports for businesses and employees impacted by the pandemic is needed and will come as a relief to those who continue to experience significant uncertainty and those not yet re-open for business.
Chambers Ireland has been a continuous advocate for the ongoing support of businesses and the announcement today is broadly positive in providing assurances in the short term. The measures announced today will allow employers to plan for a return to trading and help restore the economic health of their businesses.
The recent eligibility extension of the Small Business Assistance Scheme (SBASC) is welcome, but clarity on application criteria for this scheme, and other restart grants must be made public as soon as possible.
The €915 million from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility will also be an important avenue for rebuilding our national and local economies. Chambers Ireland CEO, Ian Talbot said, “Sustainability must be at the centre of this process. This will help to develop social and economic resilience and put Ireland in a better place to face future challenges.”
While the announcement today understandably addressed the recovery on a national level, the Chambers Regional Network continues to urge Government to support towns and cities across Ireland with targeted policy and schemes.
Ennis Chamber President Darragh McAllister said, “A strategy for urban Ireland must be at the heart of how Government delivers a sustainable recovery. This “Town Centre First” approach, which is a pillar commitment of the Programme for Government, should not only support the recovery of towns such as Ennis, but also prioritise making our town more attractive to live in, through incentivisation of urban living, brownfield development, and sustainable transport, to include in our case a town bus service.”
As we focus on rebuilding our economy, our Government needs to deliver a recovery that is balanced and provides for all parts of the island.
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