Cork Chamber's Pre-budget submission 2015 offers innovative solutions for continued economic growth and increased consumer confidence

25th August 2014

Cork Chamber today released its submission ahead of Budget 2015. The document covers a number of areas with a primary focus on innovative solutions which the Chamber believes will aid continued economic growth and job creation whilst fostering a positive environment for start-up enterprises and increasing consumer confidence.

Speaking on the release of the submission Gillian Keating, Cork Chamber President, said “, “Our recent Q2 Economic Trends survey revealed a continued positive outlook amongst Cork businesses with 88% of those surveyed reporting confidence in the future of their business. In order to harness this fully we need to be creative in how we address the issue of consumer confidence that is why we have identified a number of taxation, mortgage relief and health insurance policy initiatives that we feel will help put more money in the pockets of consumers to spend in the economy and help economic growth and job creation.”

Ms. Keating continued “It is important that recent positive economic trends are maintained and accordingly is why Cork Chamber has called in this submission for initiatives that we feel will not only make it easier for those in business today to continue and grow but will also facilitate entrepreneurs to enter the market. Dealing specifically with issues like access to credit, our call for regulated peer to peer lending and prompt payment policies for SME’s will offer a vital lifeline to small and medium businesses that rely on cash flow to continue.”

Ms. Keating concluded, “From a Cork and wider regional perspective we have also identified a number of key infrastructural projects such as the upgrade of the N28 to Ringaskiddy, which we have shown through our recent Indecon Economic Assessment has potential to deliver over 5,000 jobs by 2033. We also feel that the development and support of the Cork Science and Innovation Park will help the region to grow the knowledge economy that has the potential to deliver over 1,000 jobs and add upwards of €35million to the economy.”

Cork Chamber is the leading business organisation in Cork supporting and representing the interests of close to 1,100 businesses employing over 100,000 people in the region. Cork Chamber delivers a wide range of member services and has a mandate to develop and promote policy recommendations that create an enabling business environment and support the region’s economic development.

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