Chamber News

Chambers of Commerce collaborate to Support SME Recovery & Growth Plan in Mid & North East. County Meath Chamber of Commerce, Drogheda & District Chamber, Dundalk Chamber, Dundalk Chamber Skillnet and M1 Drogheda Chamber Skillnet are working in collaboration to support SMEs in the Mid & North East. They are proud to present their SME Recovery & Growth Plan which consists of a series of 4 online seminars delivered by industry experts.  The four topics include Strategy, Finance, Creative Thinking and Digital Marketing.  Paula McCaul, CEO Meath Chamber says “We are delighted to collaborate with neighbou...

With our economy re-opening, the hard work is only beginning. Regional differentials risk being exacerbated   Chambers Ireland and our nationwide network of Chambers has today (10 June 2020) published results from a survey of the Irish business community. This survey sought to quantify and highlight the impact of COVID-19 on businesses in our towns, cities and regions across the country. The fourth in a series, the survey has 1,320 responses and was conducted between the 28th May and 2nd June 2020. Our latest survey took a read of the business environment in Phase 1 of our economy’s re-opening followin...

Chambers Ireland today (8 June 2020) welcomes news from the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, that the Trading Online Voucher Scheme has received additional funding. Speaking this afternoon, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said, “Today’s announcement from Minister Humphreys and Minister Bruton that an additional €14.2 million will be made available for the Trading Online Scheme will be widely welcomed by businesses all over the country. The demand for the Scheme over the past number of months has been significant. The ab...

Chambers Ireland calls for Cabinet to give clarity and certainty to business   Ahead of today’s (29 May 2020) Cabinet meeting, Chambers Ireland calls for Government to reform and extend the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) beyond its initial June deadline and ensure the right supports are in place to support business liquidity and jobs.   Speaking this morning, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot said, “There have been indications that the Wage Subsidy Scheme will be retained beyond the initial 12-week period. However, as we approach the end of May, and as more and more businesses start to reop...

Data Crucial to Obtaining Supports for Business - Chambers Ireland Launches Latest COVID-19 Business Impact Survey The target of this survey are the business owners and operators around the country, both those whose businesses have been affected by the Covid-19 crisis, and those whose businesses have not.   With Phase 1 of the reopening of our economy underway, we are seeking to understand the struggles that businesses are experiencing, including those that are reopening, those that have remained closed, and those that have managed to continue through the restrictions. The survey will close at noon on Monday, 1 June and see...

Following today’s (22 May 2020) launch of the Restart Grant, Chambers Ireland calls on Government to urgently commit to increased funding and a more expansive approach, so that businesses of all sectors affected can receive support. Speaking today, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive Ian Talbot emphasised the need for Government to engage more deeply with the reality of the economic challenges facing the business community and local economies across the country. “The scale and scope of supports for business needs to be radically expanded. Today’s launch of the Restart Fund is welcome, and we are encouraging our members to...

Meath Chamber Ireland welcomes wellspring of supports from An Post   Following today’s (20 May 2020) announcement from An Post of its commitment of €2 million worth of practical supports for Ireland’s SMEs to get back to business, Chambers across Ireland welcome this new package of supports, which includes a dedicated eCommerce advice hub for SMEs, and complements the range of business supports already available from Government and the supports of local Chambers nationwide.   Speaking this afternoon, Meath Chambers Chief Executive Paula McCaul said:   “An Post’s comm...

PRESS RELEASE - May 18th  Facebook and County Meath Chamber Connect to Support Small & Medium Businesses in County Meath Covid-19 Support Fund for Meath SMB’s “As the economy and society begin to reopen, it has never been more critical or more important that we shop local and support local businesses”. This is the key message from Paula McCaul CEO of County Meath Chamber as she announced their partnership with Facebook today. Facebook is donating €250,000 to County Meath Chamber so that the Chamber can make funding available to small and medium businesses across Meath as they adapt and change in response...

Chambers Ireland welcomes the Government’s announcement today (15 May) that the first phase of lifting of Covid-19 restrictions will begin next Monday. Speaking earlier, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive, Ian Talbot said, “It is with great relief that we can welcome the start of our society’s reopening, in the wake of this unprecedented economic lockdown. As we take our first steps along the road to recovery we should be immensely grateful for the efforts of all those who have worked so hard over the last two months to minimise the impact of this disease on our people; the doctors, the nurses, the heal...

The Government has agreed details of the new €250m Restart Grant, which will give direct grant aid to micro and small businesses to help them with the costs associated with reopening and reemploying workers following COVID-19 closures. The Grant will be available to businesses with a turnover of less than €5m and employing 50 people or less. The grants will be equivalent to the rates bill of the business in 2019, with a minimum payment of €2,000 and a maximum payment of €10,000. Click here for further information on this grant.

Chambers Ireland Welcomes Easing of Restrictions   Chambers Ireland welcomes the Government’s announcement today (15 May) that the first phase of lifting of Covid-19 restrictions will begin next Monday.   Speaking earlier, Chambers Ireland Chief Executive, Ian Talbot said,   “It is with great relief that we can welcome the start of our society’s reopening, in the wake of this unprecedented economic lockdown.   As we take our first steps along the road to recovery we should be immensely grateful for the efforts of all those who have worked so hard over the last two mo...

County Meath Chamber (12 May 2020) welcomes the launch and publication by Government of the new National “Return to Work Safely” Protocol. The Protocol serves as a framework to support employers and employees to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace when the economy begins to slowly open. County Meath Chamber CEO, Paula McCaul said, “The process involved in reopening the economy will not be a simple one. Ensuring the health and safety of workers, employers and consumers continues to be our shared goal. As businesses around the country plan for how they will adapt t...