Independent food retailers need a specific support to implement Government employment measures: RGDATA tells Minister Coveney

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley told Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney that independent food/convenience retailers, highlighted in a Government report as the sector significantly impacted by the new employment and sick pay measures, needed a meaningful intervention on PRSI as a matter of urgency.

Speaking at the Enterprise Forum Buckley said that independent food shops were seeing wage costs increases of from €20k up to €125k per annum and urgently needed support from Government to implement all of the new policies. The Minister said the Government is looking at what they can do with Employers PRSI and the National Training Fund surplus to assist employers in retail and hospitality. RGDATA is preparing a submission for the Cabinet Sub Group working on the employer support proposals.