“I am sorry… I know how difficult it is just to keep doors open”: Taoiseach responds to RGDATA

I am sorry…

I know how difficult it is just to keep doors open”: Taoiseach responds to RGDATA

RGDATA members are urged to continue to get the message across to politicians about the huge challenges facing local shops as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responds to our hard-hitting letter saying his post budget comments displayed how out of touch he was with the challenges and stresses SME independent shop owners are facing on a daily basis.

“I assure you I am not dismissive of business owners’ concerns and I am sorry if I came across that way. I know how difficult it is just to keep the doors open.”

Stakeholder workshop

RGDATA calls for supports for Employers at Cost of Employment Stakeholder meeting

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley attended a meeting of stakeholder representatives with Department of Enterprise officials working on a report on the cumulative impact of the employment, sick pay, pension and wages changes being introduced by Government. Buckley outlined the significant cost increases independent food retailers are facing with wage bills increasing by €25k to €290k depending on the size of the business, according to an RGDATA survey.

RGDATA Survey: Independent Retailers express anger and frustration

RGDATA’s cost of Employment survey is still live and members who haven’t filled it in are urged to do so now. “There is powerful information in the survey about the anger and frustration that independent retailers are feeling about the cumulative impact of all the Government measures on their costs and the viability of their shops,” Tara Buckley said. RGDATA will use the survey results in an ongoing campaign to get supports for independent retailers to introduce all the new measures.