Fears Clare Unemployment Will Rise Due To Cost Pressures

There are fears unemployment levels will rise due to the increased cost pressures on small businesses in Clare. The latest SME business sentiment survey from Chartered Accoutants Ireland and GRID Finance has found that 84% of SMEs are reporting an increase in business costs. Additionally, the survey reveals that 71% of small and medium enterprises are less optimistic about the economic environment than they were six months ago, up from 51% last October. ISME council member and managing director of Aillwee Burren Experience, Nuala Mulqueeney, believes jobs will be lost if businesses continue to feel the squeeze.