Small Business is Big Business
Published 16 May 2006
The Small Business Forum was set up by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Micheál Martin T.D. to consider the current environment for conducting small business in Ireland and to advise on the adequacy and appropriateness of public policy responses.
The Small Business Forum’s report ‘Small Business is Big Business’ presents an analysis of Ireland’s small business sector and the evolving environment in which it operates. The report can be downloaded from this page in full or in sections. Two background reports are also available below.
News
16 May 2006
Small Business is Big Business: the Report of the Small Business Forum is published
SBF Report Launch Press Release (PDF, 3 pages, 37KB)
Find out more 
About the Small Business Forum (PDF, 1 page, 49KB)
Executive Summary & Full Report
Executive Summary (PDF, 12 pages, 113KB)
Presents the current environment and future challenges for conducting small business in Ireland and outlines the key recommendations which aim to help small business contribute to the future growth of the economy.
Full Report (PDF, 91 pages, 874KB)
The Small Business Forum’s report ‘Small Business is Big Business’ presents an analysis of the small business sector and the evolving environment in which it operates. The report identifies a number of important recommendations along with an implementation mechanism, which will allow this sector to continue to flourish and grow.
Breakdown by Chapter
Chapter 1: The Economic Impact of Small Businesses (PDF, 9 pages, 136KB)
Details the significant contribution of the small business sector to Ireland’s economy.
Chapter 2: The Evolving Environment for Small Businesses (PDF, 4 pages, 76KB)
Looks at the challenges that will influence the future development of small businesses in Ireland.
Chapter 3: Create a Better Environment for all Small Businesses (PDF, 18 pages, 161KB)
Addresses certain issues that are faced by all small businesses including regulation, local authority charges and access to information.
Chapter 4: Stimulate Growth (PDF, 20 pages, 198KB)
Identifies key areas such as access to finance, management capability, innovation and exploitation of ICT where improvements can be made to develop companies with the capacity and ambition to grow.
Chapter 5: Inspire Entrepreneurship (PDF, 5 pages, 87KB)
Raises a number of issues that need to be addressed if the quantity and quality of start-up enterprises is to continue to meet the country’s economic needs.
Chapter 6: Implementation: from Recommendations to Action (PDF, 6 pages, 82KB)
Looks at the current enterprise support network and sets out an implementation mechanism to deliver the Forum’s recommendations.
Appendices
Appendix A: Terms of Reference (PDF, 1 page, 43KB)
Appendix B: Membership of the Small Business Forum (PDF, 1 page, 41KB)
Appendix C: Submissions Received (PDF, 2 pages, 50KB)
Appendix D: Suggested Format of Small Business Release (PDF, 4 pages, 63KB)
Background Reports
The Economic Impact of Small Business in Ireland (PDF, 147 pages, 1575KB)
Source: DKM Economic Consultants Ltd., March 2006
The Forum commissioned DKM Economic Consultants to assess the economic activity and impact of small business in Ireland and this report looks at the size, profile and contribution to the national economy of the sector, and how these have changed over time..
Regulating the Small Business Sector (PDF, 105 pages, 949KB)
Source: Indecon International Economic Consultants, January 2006
This report which was commissioned by the Forum concerns a review of the impact of regulation on small business in Ireland and how appropriate regulation can assist small firms.
