Mayo TD brings Ministers to Westport for SME Roundtables

On Thursday September 25, Deputy Keira Keogh hosted Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Peter Burke, and Minister of State for Public Procurement, Digitalisation & eGovernment, Emer Higgins, at the Leeson Enterprise Centre in Westport. The sessions gave SMEs, micro-enterprises and local business representatives a direct platform to highlight both opportunities and challenges.

Deputy Keogh said: “Bringing Ministers to Mayo is about making sure the lived reality of running a business in the West is part of national decision-making. Our SMEs are innovative, resilient, and central to keeping our towns alive. But they need a helping hand to succeed.”

Business owners welcomed the chance to engage directly with Ministers, but also spoke openly about the issues holding them back, including:

Complex and bureaucratic systems for grants and procurement, crippling commercial rates, driving businesses out of town centres and rising energy and wage bills, which make it harder to turn a profit despite strong turnover.

Attendees were also impressed by the Ministers’ grasp of the issues and their practical approach, highlighting potential solutions and policy measures as well as taking the time to listen carefully to local concerns.

On procurement, Deputy Keogh added: “Too often, Mayo businesses feel shut out of public contracts because the system can seem over complicated. That has to change, we have to empower our local SMEs to get on the e-tender site and compete for local work.”

On support for small businesses, Deputy Keogh noted: “The national enterprise hub established by Minister Burke was well received by attendees. The Hub is a one-stop shop designed for Irish businesses of all sizes. Businesses can easily find and learn about the range of government support programs available”. Both Ministers committed to taking the insights from Westport back into their reform work on procurement and SME supports.

Deputy Keogh concluded by saying: “The message from Westport is clear: small businesses are fighting hard but need a level playing field. I’ll continue working with Ministers Burke and Higgins to cut red tape, ease the pressure on town centres, and ensure Mayo SMEs have every chance to thrive.”

READ MORE: Mayo Minister welcomes progress on new coast guard station in Westport