News

  A survey commissioned by Uisce Éireann which published this week has found that costs remain both the primary driver and obstacle in SMEs taking sustainability action. The survey, which interviewed the owners of more than 350 small- and medium-sized businesses, sought their opinion on the importance of investing in sustainability for their businesses and customers. It also examined the barriers that currently exist to investment in the area.  The survey found that for seven in 10 SMEs said cost savings is the primary driver in decision-making on sustainable investment, but cost concerns remain the primary obstacle for almost 70% of SMEs. The survey also revealed that 9 in 10 businesses still intend to maintain or increase their investment in sustainable practices in the coming year, but there has been a slowdown overall in the number of businesses planning sustainability investments, falling from 20% in 2023 to 15% in Q2 2024.  75% of companies surveyed intend to maintain levels of investment, with 15% planning to increase it, but only 11% have accessed external expertise in the past 12 months. Speaking about the survey findings, David Broderick, Director of the Small Firms Association (SFA), said: “it is worth noting that small businesses are still operating in a high inflation economy with 68% of SMEs claiming that costs remain a primary barrier to investment.” The top three areas where SMEs are most actively tackling environmental issues are reducing their energy use, waste, and plastics. The proportion of businesses taking measures to conserve water is at its highest level in three years, with more than seven SMEs in 10 say they are conserving water, and a 10% decrease over the same period in the number who say it is ‘not on their radar’ (31% in 2022 to 28% in Q2 2024.)

  In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read about Ireland’s new €250 million Seed and Venture Capital Scheme, which will help SMEs scale with a focus on ESG and sustainability. Also covered is Northern Ireland’s Low Carbon/Net Zero Sectoral Action Plan, a review into sharing adaptation actions, a report finding stark gaps in corporate environmental and social responsibility, and the usual articles, resources and events. Ireland/Northern Ireland news New Seed and Venture Capital Scheme to help SMEs scale with a focus on ESG and sustainability  The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke, T.D., has announced a new cycle of the Seed and Venture Capital Scheme. The new cycle will operate from 2025 to 2029 and will have a record allocation of €250 million. Administered by Enterprise Ireland, the Scheme will provide funding for Irish companies in their early stages of development. Commenting on the announcement, Leo McAdams, Enterprise Ireland, said that the scheme will play a role in stimulating the Irish economy, by supporting SMEs to, among other things, “scale with a focus on ESG, sustainability and regional activity.” Northern Ireland’s Low Carbon/Net Zero Sectoral Action Plan   Northern Ireland’s Economy Minister Conor Murphy recently launched sectoral action plans for seven of the most innovative, productive and internationally oriented parts of the region’s economy. The Low Carbon/Net Zero Sectoral Action Plan in particular mentions that the region can become a ‘greenshoring’ destination of choice for companies wishing to establish a low carbon/net zero manufacturing base and supply chain.  Read the plan here. Europe news A new European Environment Agency (EEA) review of the EU’s Climate-ADAPT online platform shows that sharing examples of adaptation actions can boost learning across the EU to help societies better prepare for climate change. The  briefing, Preparing society for climate risks in Europe, stresses the need to scale up adaptation measures and actions across all policy sectors and governance levels to address escalating climate risks like extreme heat, drought, wildfires and flooding. The review comes after record-breaking high temperatures across Europe in July, which saw heatwaves causing loss of life, particularly in Southern Europe.  World news A new report finds ‘stark gaps’ in corporate environmental and social responsibility. The Nature Benchmark, published by the World Benchmarking Alliance’s (WBA), tracks and measures how over 800 major corporations across 20 industries are reducing their negative impacts on nature and contributing to the protection and restoration of ecosystems. The study found ‘a pervasive gap’ between the high-level commitments made by many large corporations to safeguard nature and the tangible action plans required to realise these commitments, and deficiencies in collecting and disseminating robust data to substantiate claims of meaningful progress. Sustainability Reporting and Assurance Diplomas starting soon With the mandatory corporate Sustainability Reporting and Assurance in the EU starting this year, Chartered Accountants Ireland’s Sustainability Diplomas are back for the Autumn Schedule for our Professional Development courses.  Diploma in Sustainability Reporting is designed for chartered accountants and others leading the implementation of the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).  Our Diploma in Auditing and Assuring Sustainability Reporting is tailored for Chartered Accountants and others seeking to conduct sustainability assurance and become licensed as Sustainability Assurance Service Providers (SASPs).  Articles Chartered Star 2024 winner Evan O’Donnell talks to Susan Rossney, Sustainability Advocacy Manager with Chartered Accountants Ireland, about the future of sustainability in the profession (Accountancy Ireland) SMEs, the supply chain and the sustainability agenda (Accountancy Ireland) Being your own advocate at work - especially if you're neurodivergent (Accountancy Ireland) Sustainability and Finance: How Ireland meets the industry’s emerging skills need (IDA Ireland) Bosses cut flying day trips as travel settles into permanent ‘new normal’ (Financial Times) Britain to propose law next year to regulate ESG raters (Reuters) ‘Massive disinformation campaign’ is slowing global transition to green energy (The Guardian) Moving Beyond ESG - a new playbook for responsible business - Robert G. Eccles (Harvard Business Review) Podcasts The Guardian -  The dangers resulting from extreme heat, and what society can do to mitigate them (30 minutes) Transforming Tomorrow  - Short, accessible listens on sustainability and business. Professor Jan Bebbington and Paul Turner cover externalities and other topics (23 mins) Did you know? The BBC is putting climate change at front of broadcasting, and wants to boost sustainability education, halve emissions by 2030 and become net zero by 2050. As a signatory of The Climate Content Pledge, the BBC aims to use its content to educate and inspire viewers on climate issues. Notable efforts include integrating climate change themes into popular programs like Blue Planet, DIY SOS and Top Gear. Upcoming Events Chartered Accountants Worldwide Special Edition This special episode of the "Difference Makers Discuss Live" series will be hosted by Ainslie van Onselen, Chair of Chartered Accountants Worldwide. Ainslie will join Jessica Fries, Executive Chair of A4S and a Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Jessica will share insights into her career path and role at A4S, as well as discuss the current global sustainability landscape and Chartered Accountants' impact on advancing sustainability. Virtual, Thursday 22 August | 6:00pm – 6:30pm A4S (Accounting for Sustainability) Pensions Deep Dive: Using a narrative scenario approach for asset allocation Mirko Cardinale, Head of Investment Strategy, USS Investment Management, will share insights on using a narrative scenario approach within investment decision-making processes, and how this affected USS's thematic investment outlook and strategic asset allocation review. There will also be a Q&A discussion on the practical implementation of narrative scenarios to support the asset allocation process. In person/virtual: 5 September, 16.00–17.30 BST A4S (Accounting for Sustainability) Sustainability in Action Webinar: Net zero – Scope 3 for the real economy Register for this webinar to receive practical advice for measuring and reducing your scope 3 emissions. During the webinar, we will discuss the pivotal role that finance teams can play in addressing scope 3 emissions. Practical examples shared during the webinar will help you translate the experience and learnings of others to your work. In person, 10 September,16:00 BST Premier Publishing & Events, Northern Ireland Sustainability Summit The 2024 Northern Ireland Sustainability Summit is being held in the TEC, Belfast on the 12th of September with an impressive line-up of Sustainability leaders, academics and government agencies who will engage in a stimulating blend of keynote addresses and debates. The theme is ‘Creating an Innovative and Sustainable Manufacturing & Supply Chain Ecosystem’ In person, Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast, 12 September  Chartered Accountants Ireland, The SME and SMP Sustainability Workshop A workshop for SMEs and small/medium accounting practices (SMPs) on how to get ahead of the sustainability curve. This interactive half-day session will focus on positive actions you can take to understand the ‘trickle-down’ effect of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ('CSRD’), green public procurement, access to sustainable finance, and how to make your practice more sustainable to save costs and respond to staff and client demands. Virtual, Chartered Accountant House, 13 September, 9.30- 12.30; €60 members; €75 non-members; 3 hours CPD points. EPA, Circular Economy Conference 2024 Online and in-person (Aviva Stadium, Dublin), 25 September Dublin Chamber, The Sustainability Academy Dublin Chamber is running its Sustainability Academy again this year with workshops offering a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of sustainability. This course fee includes a free one-hour, post-workshop one-on-one advisory consultation per company with an expert advisor. Virtual, starting 27 September ESG Summit Europe, ESG Summit Europe 2024 In person, Madrid, October 1-2  ICAEW, Annual Conference 2024 Discover forward-looking insights on the economy, with a particular focus on sustainability, leadership, and technology designed to help you navigate a rapidly evolving external environment, drive business growth and discuss how to build a better, more resilient economic future. In person, Convene, London UK, 4 October,  8:00 - 17:00 BST    Environment Ireland, Environment Conference Environment Ireland® is Ireland’s major environmental policy and management conference. Now in its 20th year, this important event features a range of focused sessions highlighting the pressing issues facing the environment in Ireland and further afield. In person, Croke Park, 17 October Chartered Accountants Ireland ESG Masterclass: Take your sustainability knowledge to the next level (ROI/NI) Masterclass designed for all professional accountants working in business or practice, wishing to consolidate their knowledge and understanding of the sustainability regulatory, reporting and assurance landscape. 24 October, 08:30 – 12.00, Virtual IAFA & IAASA  Integrating Sustainability Reporting and Assurance into Accounting Education Conference The conference is a collaboration between IAFA and the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) and aims to build awareness of the implications of sustainability reporting & assurance for accounting education, and to foster meaningful dialogue & collaboration among stakeholders to drive positive change. It will explore: Challenges and opportunities facing accounting education in the context of sustainability reporting and assurance, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and its implications for accounting education, Future skills for sustainability reporting and assurance, Strategies for enhancing accounting education and student skills development. In person, 1 November, Maynooth University Network for Chartered Accountants working on ESG projects Are you a Chartered Accountant working in ESG or working on ESG-related projects? Would you like an opportunity to engage with other Chartered Accountants working in this space to share insights, challenges and opportunities? Chartered Accountants Ireland now has a network to allow members working in sustainability/ESG to meet and discuss all matters of interest re ESG and accounting. Next meeting: Wednesday, 28 August, 14:00-15.30 Zoom If you would like to attend, please email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published Environment, Social and Governance Reporting: Data for the Enterprise Economy 2024. This is the first time the CSO has published environment, social and governance (ESG) information, and is one of the first European statistical offices to do so. Commenting on the publication, James Hegarty, Statistician, described the primary aim of this release “to raise awareness around ESG and corporate responsibility, and what it will increasingly mean for a range of Irish enterprises.” There are chapters on climate change, pollution, the workforce, governance, and other relevant ESG topics. The release finds that while Irish enterprises are making progress in terms of increasing the use of renewable energy and improving building energy ratings, there is still a significant journey to be travelled in terms of further reducing overall emissions. The most recent provisional 2023 emissions data, released by the Environmental Protection Agency on 8 July 2024, shows that greenhouse gas emissions (including Land Use, Land Use Change, and Forestry) were 7.8 percent lower than in 2018, with a distance to travel to the National Climate Ambition of a 51 percent reduction by 2030. In terms of the workforce, Irish enterprises are performing well in terms of overall employment, but improvement is still needed in terms of reducing the gender pay gap and increasing female representation on boards. In 2022, the gender pay gap for Ireland was 9.6 percent and mean earnings for females were €25.06 while mean earnings for males were €27.73. Only one in four members of Boards of Directors in Ireland were female in 2023, up from almost 22 percent in 2021. The release is part of the CSO Frontier Series which presents a series of environmental, social, and governance data that bring a heightened awareness to the non-financial performance of the enterprise economy in light of regulatory developments. The CSO is planning on developing a corporate responsibility/ESG dashboard in 2025. This will be an evolving and fluid space that will allow for additional quantitative and qualitative data sources to be added over time.  

The report from the Chair of the National Economic Dialogue 2024, which took place on 27 May, has published, and describes a “more shock-prone world” with changing global trade and investment patterns presenting significant implications for the domestic economy.  Under the broad headings of competitiveness and inclusion, four specific themes emerged as the key areas of concern. Public service delivery Challenges facing the SME sector Housing and infrastructure and Labour markets A breakout session on climate actions and the green transition discussed the impact of the green transition on Ireland’s international competitiveness. It pointed to how Ireland is operating in a global market and with vast investment in the green economy by the US and China. This, and the resulting actions by other EU governments, presents a danger that Irish businesses are losing a level playing field. There was a call to review how the tax system and further regulatory and policy certainty can assist with supporting the competitiveness of Irish businesses, particularly in giving confidence to businesses and industry to undertake the kind of long-term investments that are needed from the private sector for the green transition. There was a strong desire for multi-year budget policies that span Governments to remove the perceived risk to those investing in the green transition. Under the theme of ‘the challenges of sluggish and disjointed systems’, actions were suggested that could make it easier to access supports, including positive tax provisions. Carbon contracts for difference, which gave some certainty for investors, especially in the higher interest rate environment, were mentioned as a possible avenue for exploration.     

  In this week’s Sustainability/ESG bulletin, read about sustainability-related warnings from the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) and in the National Economic Dialogue 2024 report. Also covered is the CSO’s first-time publication of ESG information, sustainability indicators in Ireland’s wellbeing framework that contribute to the Budget process, updates from Northern Ireland and Europe, including the passing into law of the CSDDD and EFRAG’s release of a study on early implementation of ESRS, and the usual articles resources and events. Ireland news CSO offices publishes ESG information for the first time The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has published Environment, Social and Governance Reporting: Data for the Enterprise Economy 2024. This is the first time the CSO has published environment, social and governance (ESG) information, and is one of the first European statistical offices to do so. Read our summary here. Budget process contributor tracking sustainability indicators publishes The Government has published 'Understanding Life in Ireland: The Well-being Framework 2024', showing Ireland’s performance on 35 indicators, across 11 dimensions. Of the 15 indicators considered particularly important for sustainability (economic, social and environmental), seven perform well over time and Ireland compares favourably with other countries in four. The Environment, Climate and Biodiversity dimensions performed negatively, though, both over time and in comparison, internationally. Analysing progress under the Well-being Framework is now an annual contribution to the Budget process and supports a broader discussion of the impact of budgetary decisions. “A more shock-prone world”: challenges and opportunities for Ireland The report from the Chair of the National Economic Dialogue 2024, which took place on 27 May, has published, describing a “more shock-prone world” with changing global trade and investment patterns presenting significant implications for the domestic economy.  Read our summary here. Report finds deficits in Ireland’s competitiveness The National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) has warned that the current strain on utilities means business demand could soon outstrip supply with ramifications for inward investment. The Competitiveness Challenge 2024 report, which published last week, set out a range of key challenges facing Ireland’s economy, which included “persistent deficits” in energy and water representing a serious “reputational risk for Ireland”. NESC calls for work quality across all sectors The National Economic and Social Council’s (NESC) also published a report advocating for improving work quality across all economic sectors. The report, titled Towards a National Better Work Strategy calls for targeted state intervention and greater integration of social policy, productivity, and skills development. Key recommendations include sectoral taskforces, social partner involvement, comprehensive research programs, and a focus on workplace innovation. Separately, the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, launched Work and Access, a new Employment Programme aimed at removing barriers that disabled people may face in the workplace. The programme offers seven key grants for supports ranging from equipment to training. UK/Northern Ireland news Launch of open call for energy research The Department for the Economy has launched an open call for energy research, with £400K funding available. The research funded will directly contribute to the evidence base that will support policy-making associated with the Energy Strategy. Further information on the call, including themes, proposal guidance and key dates, can be found here and the deadline for submissions is 30 August. Survey into impact of plastics-related regulatory changes The Office for the Internal Market (OIM), part of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), has launched a study on the economic impacts of measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics, which can help with the development of future policy by governments. OIM is seeking views from businesses about their experience of dealing with regulatory changes in relation to single-use plastics. They have issued an online survey which is available here until 16 September. Women in business bootcamps Women in Business is running a wide-ranging programme of female entrepreneurship programmes and events over the upcoming months. The free Yes You Can: Imagine It Bootcamps are delivered for women who want to turn their hobbies or burning business ideas into a reality. The next bootcamp is on Wednesday 18 September at Mallusk Enterprise Park, with more locations to be announced for Autumn 2024 and early 2025. Sustainable development and The Kings Awards for Enterprise Northern Ireland businesses are invited to apply for The King's Awards for Enterprise, which recognise and encourage the outstanding achievements of UK businesses in the fields of sustainable development, as well as international trade, innovation and promoting opportunity through social mobility. Businesses of all sizes and from all sectors can apply until Thursday 12 September, and full details are available here. Europe News EFRAG releases study on early implementation of ESRS The European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) has published a study that sets out preliminary practices related to the implementation of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The conclusions of the study are based on interviews of 28 large EU-headquartered undertakings across eight sectors split between financial and non-financial enterprises. The report, titled State of play as of Q2 2024 | Implementation of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS): Initial Practices from Selected Companies' has a section ‘Preliminary observed ESRS implementation practices’ which sets out practices and challenges observed by a sample of large companies in the initial stages of ESRS implementation focusing on four areas: The double materiality assessment Data points Value chain and ESG reporting organisational approaches CSDDD enters into force The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) has come into force after a lengthy legislative process during which it was approved by the EU Parliament in April 2024, adopted by the EU Council on 24 May 2024, published in the EU's Official Journal on 5 July 2024, and entered into force on 25 July 2024. EU member states now have 24 months to transpose the legislation into national law. The Directive  aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour throughout global value chains. It applies to EU and non-EU companies with a turnover over €150 million and smaller companies in certain sectors. The European Commission has announced that it will start infringement procedures against Ireland and several other members states in the field of, among things, environment, calling on it to meet waste collection and recycling targets. Ireland has two months to respond and address the shortcomings raised by the Commission. In the absence of satisfactory responses, the Commission may decide to issue reasoned opinions. World news According to Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) data, the Earth experienced its warmest day since records began on July 22, 2024. As the planet continues to warm, it is anticipated that records will continue to be broken, underscoring the need for adaptation to climate change impacts. Articles Yes, these grey skies are ‘global warming’ (Irish Times) Survey shows 80 per cent of Irish people are ‘alarmed’ or ‘concerned’ about climate change (Irish Times) Could ISSB reporting mandates arrive sooner than first thought? (Accountancy Age) Bonuses linked to diversity & inclusion are being challenged. Where do Irish companies stand? (Business Post) Resources A4S (Accounting for Sustainability) has published a new report providing economy-wide, actionable recommendations for accelerating the global transition to a just, climate-resilient, net zero world. Accelerating the Transition: Assessing Progress and Driving Action outlines the current state of sustainability efforts and identifies barriers to progress. It proposes practical actions for businesses, investors, governments and regulators. IFAC has published an article The Value of Sustainable Practices at SMEs: A View from Pakistan sharing experiences from Pakistan to help small businesses identify how they can take action and how they can start their own sustainability journey, supported by a free resource that IFAC has developed. This resource is “Small Business Sustainability Checklist,”  a diagnostic tool to help SMEs identify sustainability risks and opportunities. Upcoming Events The Law Society of Ireland 2024 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Delivered over 5 weeks, the Law Society’s 2024 MOOC on ESG is now available online and on demand. The MOOC is free and open to all, and Institute Professional Accounting Lead, Dee Moran, is speaking on the topic of the sustainable reporting landscape. A4S (Accounting for Sustainability) Pensions Deep Dive: Using a narrative scenario approach for asset allocation Mirko Cardinale, Head of Investment Strategy, USS Investment Management, will share insights on using a narrative scenario approach within investment decision-making processes, and how this affected USS's thematic investment outlook and strategic asset allocation review. There will also be a Q&A discussion on the practical implementation of narrative scenarios to support the asset allocation process. In person/virtual: 5 September, 16.00–17.30 BST A4S (Accounting for Sustainability) Sustainability in Action Webinar: Net zero – Scope 3 for the real economy Register for this webinar to receive practical advice for measuring and reducing your scope 3 emissions. During the webinar, we will discuss the pivotal role that finance teams can play in addressing scope 3 emissions. Practical examples shared during the webinar will help you translate the experience and learnings of others to your work. In person, 10 September, 16:00 BST Premier Publishing & Events, Northern Ireland Sustainability Summit The 2024 Northern Ireland Sustainability Summit is being held in the TEC, Belfast on the 12th of September with an impressive line-up of Sustainability leaders, academics and government agencies who will engage in a stimulating blend of keynote addresses and debates. The theme is ‘Creating an Innovative and Sustainable Manufacturing & Supply Chain Ecosystem’ In person, Titanic Exhibition Centre Belfast, 12 September  Chartered Accountants Ireland, The SME and SMP Sustainability Workshop A workshop for SMEs and small/medium accounting practices (SMPs) on how to get ahead of the sustainability curve. This interactive half-day session will focus on positive actions you can take to understand the ‘trickle-down’ effect of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive ('CSRD’), green public procurement, access to sustainable finance, and how to make your practice more sustainable to save costs and respond to staff and client demands. Virtual, Chartered Accountant House, 13 September, 9.30- 12.30; €60 members; €75 non-members; 3 hours CPD points. EPA, Circular Economy Conference 2024 Online and in-person (Aviva Stadium, Dublin), 25 September Dublin Chamber, The Sustainability Academy Dublin Chamber is running its Sustainability Academy again this year with workshops offering a unique opportunity to gain a comprehensive and well-rounded understanding of sustainability. This course fee includes a free one-hour, post-workshop one-on-one advisory consultation per company with an expert advisor. Virtual, starting 27 September ESG Summit Europe, ESG Summit Europe 2024 In person, Madrid, October 1-2  ICAEW, Annual Conference 2024 Discover forward-looking insights on the economy, with a particular focus on sustainability, leadership, and technology designed to help you navigate a rapidly evolving external environment, drive business growth and discuss how to build a better, more resilient economic future. In person, Convene, London UK, 4 October,  8:00 - 17:00 BST    Environment Ireland, Environment Conference Environment Ireland® is Ireland’s major environmental policy and management conference. Now in its 20th year, this important event features a range of focused sessions highlighting the pressing issues facing the environment in Ireland and further afield. In person, Croke Park, 17 October Chartered Accountants Ireland ESG Masterclass: Take your sustainability knowledge to the next level (ROI/NI) Masterclass designed for all professional accountants working in business or practice, wishing to consolidate their knowledge and understanding of the sustainability regulatory, reporting and assurance landscape. 24 October, 08:30 – 12.00, Virtual IAFA & IAASA  Integrating Sustainability Reporting and Assurance into Accounting Education Conference The conference is a collaboration between IAFA and the Irish Auditing and Accounting Supervisory Authority (IAASA) and aims to build awareness of the implications of sustainability reporting & assurance for accounting education, and to foster meaningful dialogue & collaboration among stakeholders to drive positive change. It will explore: Challenges and opportunities facing accounting education in the context of sustainability reporting and assurance, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and its implications for accounting education, Future skills for sustainability reporting and assurance, Strategies for enhancing accounting education and student skills development. In person, 1 November, Maynooth University Network for Chartered Accountants working on ESG projects Are you a Chartered Accountant working in ESG or working on ESG-related projects? Would you like an opportunity to engage with other Chartered Accountants working in this space to share insights, challenges and opportunities? Chartered Accountants Ireland now has a network to allow members working in sustainability/ESG to meet and discuss all matters of interest re ESG and accounting. Next meeting: Wednesday, 28 August, 14:00-15.30 Zoom If you would like to attend, please email sustainability@charteredaccountants.ie     You can find information, guidance and supports to understand sustainability and meet the challenges it presents in our online Sustainability Centre.

As anticipation for an early general election continues to grow, the Institute’s public policy team has made submissions to all of the main political parties setting out the key policy priorities we would like to see featured in any future Programme for Government. Supporting small businesses While the Government has acknowledged the financial pressures SMEs are under, many businesses remain constrained by rising labour costs. In a recent survey of our members, 90 percent of respondents identified labour costs as being the single biggest operating cost facing their business today with over 90 percent saying that these have increased over the past year. With this in mind, we are calling for the next Government to: 1. Reduce Employers’ PRSI on minimum wage workers by 1.5 percent to mitigate the cost of auto-enrolment for employers Currently employers’ PRSI is paid at a rate of 8.8 percent (8.9 percent from October 2024) and a reduction by 1.5 percent would cost the Exchequer an estimated €63 million in a full year. This proposal would compensate employers who will have to introduce pensions auto-enrolment during 2025 at an initial cost of 1.5 percent. The cohort most impacted by the new pensions scheme will be the estimated 164,000 minimum wage workers. 2. Think small first when it comes to introducing new legislation and regulations SMEs have also had to deal with the introduction of an unprecedented number of new legislative requirements over the past 2 years, adding to their cost and administrative burden.  One example is the introduction of enhanced reporting for employers meaning that employers have to report in real-time details of tax-free travel and subsistence and other benefits paid to employees.  Government needs to be cognisant of these challenges when implementing new regulations and have regard to the timing and suitability of same. It is important that small companies do not face any unnecessary or disproportionate regulatory obstacles to start up, establish and grow.  This can be achieved by: Strictly applying the ‘enhanced SME test’ across all government departments when introducing new legislation that will ultimately affect the bottom lines of SMEs. Staggering the roll out of new workplace legislation in a timely manner so as not to overburden employers with additional new costs all at the same time. Facilitating consultation and dialogue with SMEs and other impacted stakeholder groups before introducing new legislation or policy that affects small businesses. Reducing the frequency of reporting the payment of travel and subsistence and other benefits to a monthly or annual basis. 3. Simplify the tax regime for SMEs to encourage enterprise and innovation It is acknowledged that businesses face a complex challenge in accessing tax reliefs and schemes and the Government has shown a desire for all businesses, especially SMEs, to know what they are entitled to claim and can access all appropriate schemes and reliefs.   However, there are several areas where improvements must be made including: (i) Making share-remuneration more attractive by: Maintaining the Employers’ PRSI exemption, which offsets some of the cost of establishing share schemes. Deferring all tax charges for the employee until a sale or liquidity event occurs and allowing CGT treatment on a redemption of employee-owned shares. Enhancing the Key Employee Engagement Programme (KEEP) scheme by relaxing some of the onerous conditions for establishment which drives set-up costs. (ii) Encouraging SMEs to claim the R&D tax credit Larger organisations represent a larger proportion of the amount of R&D tax credit claims in a year. Smaller organisations are disincentivised from claiming an otherwise-available R&D tax credit on the basis of a lack of certainty, fundamental tax risk, and burdensome scrutiny of claims. This can be achieved by: Offering an enhanced rate for small and micro companies of 50 percent. Simplifying the documentation and qualification requirements for SMEs. Introducing a Revenue pre-clearance system for first time claimants. Improving Revenue guidance targeted at SMEs and including a list of common pitfalls encountered by claimants. (iii) Reduce Capital Gains Tax from 33 percent to 25 percent Investment is critical in enabling start-ups to thrive and SMEs to grow and expand.  A lower rate of CGT has been shown to encourage innovation and risk taking. It encourages the sale and purchase of assets, which drives investment activity. This would improve returns for entrepreneurs and in turn the Exchequer.  Improving childcare capacity and affordability for working parents Childcare provision is part of the critical infrastructure necessary for a functioning economy. Access to affordable and good-quality childcare can play a key role in driving more sustainable and inclusive economic growth. In a survey of our members published earlier this year, 97 percent of respondents surveyed said that they had considered adjusting their working patterns as a result of not being able to find a childcare place while almost half of respondents signalled that they have had to reduce their working hours as a result of this. From a cost perspective, one third of members currently pay up to €1,000 a month per child on childcare with one third paying between €1,000 and €2,000 per child per month. This is not a sustainable situation. To address these issues, we are calling on the next Government to: 1. Commit to a whole-of-government strategy which recognises childcare as part of the critical infrastructure necessary for the functioning of the economy. This strategy should: Focus on encouraging the availability of flexible or part-time childcare places to reflect current work patterns. Targeted funding could be directed at facilities to offer more flexible offerings. Ensure adequate capacity in the sector by officially analysing and documenting childcare needs in local areas on a regular basis.  Expand the work of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) programme which caters for children with a disability by creating a more inclusive environment in pre-schools through universal and targeted supports. 2. Ensure funding of the existing system reflects the true cost of service provision and encourages growth in the sector. This can be achieved by: Regularly reviewing Core Funding to ensure that the model is suitable for the sector and enables providers to be sustainable, profitable and retain an ability to invest in their own services. Supporting an integrated system of full time and after-school care with both types of care adequately funded. Reflecting the additional cost burden placed on providers by the administrative requirements of Core Funding, the administration of the National Childcare Subsidies as well as the enhanced regulation experienced by childcare providers (and SMEs generally) by the introduction of new labour laws including pensions auto-enrolment, which is expected in 2025.   3. Enhance awareness of support subsidies available to parents under the National Childcare Scheme. This can be achieved by: Ensuring that maternity hospital and Public Health Nurses to provide information on the supports available to new parents in the early years. Requiring childcare providers to highlight available supports to parents as part of the application process to register their child with the childcare facility. Translating the NCS portal into other languages as language barriers have been reported as being a barrier to claiming the subsidy. As part of our pre-election campaign to promote the above advocacy agenda, in recent weeks representatives from the Institute have met with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke and Minister for Finance Jack Chambers. In addition, we have engaged with senior officials at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and have arranged forthcoming meetings with spokespeople from all of the main opposition parties. As we approach the next general election, the Institute’s public policy team will continue to advocate for our members interests across the political spectrum. Should you have any questions on our campaign or wish to bring a specific issue to our attention, please contact the public policy team at publicpolicy@charteredaccountants.ie