Forty-five percent of people working in the private sector in Galway are employed by small businesses.
That is according to data from the Central Statistics Office in a policy document from the Small Firms Association (SFA).
The new policy document focuses on four key pillars aimed at creating conductions for businesses to grow.
These pillars are tackling business costs, easing the tax burden, upskilling for the 21st Century and enabling prosperity.
Among the key requests for the new administration is the introduction of a PRSI rebate to assist small businesses with the transition towards a minimum wage.
The SFA is also calling for a reduction in the Capital Gains Tax rate from 33 percent to 20 percent.
Small Businesses are those defined as having fewer than 50 employees.
The SFA also wants a introduce a National Training Voucher Scheme to boost in-company training and widen participation in upskilling and reskilling to include all businesses and employers.
David Broderick, Director of the Small Firms Association, said they want the government to help local businesses which have endured “trying times” in recent years.
“The most pressing challenge for small businesses across Galway are rising business costs, particularly new and incoming labour costs which are harder for small businesses to endure.”
“Small businesses are the beating heart of communities across the county and the SFA wants the government to renew its focus to create conditions for growth.”
