On 23rd May 2025, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke T.D., announced the establishment of a dedicated Small Business Unit within his department. This move delivers on a key commitment in the Programme for Government to prioritise small businesses and strengthen their voice across Government policymaking. 

Key Objectives of the New Unit include: 

• Implementation of the SME Test: Ensuring small business perspectives are considered before any new legislation or regulation is introduced. 

• Streamlining Access to Supports: Overseeing improvements to how businesses access grants and services through the National Enterprise Hub. 

• Strengthening Local Support: Enhancing the resources available to Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). 

On announcing the new unit, Minister Burke emphasised the central role of SMEs in the Irish economy, which employ two-thirds of the population and form the backbone of local communities. This initiative complements Government measures from April to fast-track the Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity, aimed at tackling national competitiveness challenges. Dublin Chamber welcomes this announcement as a positive step towards ensuring that small businesses remain a strategic priority in Ireland’s economic planning.