MY BUDGET BUSINESS OWNER:"AS A business owner, this Budget has nothing in it for us." That's the view of Barbara Geoghegan, managing director of JS Dobbs, a healthcare supplier for hospitals, nursing homes and the medical profession.
Barbara is very disappointed with the decision to reverse the half percentage point rise in the VAT rate announced by the Minister in the last budget, believing that the Government has not gone far enough.
“That’s not exactly going to set the world alight and it’s definitely not going to encourage our customers to stop going across the Border to source their supplies.”
The carbon tax is also a major worry. “We have five vans and two cars on the road, which cover the 26 counties. This could have a serious impact on our costs.” Barbara is critical of the lack of clarity surrounding the issue. “We need to work out exactly how much this tax is going to cost us and adjust our business model accordingly.”
Barbara employs 12 people at the office in Baldoyle, and is considering hiring another person. However, she says there is nothing in the Budget to encourage her to increase her workforce. “The minimum wage is still too high and the Government has missed the opportunity to change the level of employers’ PRSI contributions.”
On the subject of the announcement of a new Credit Review System which will monitor the credit policies and practices of the banks, Barbara is dubious.
“I’m afraid to say, I’ll believe it when I see it. ”
Suzanne Lynch