Chamber News
Horizon 2020
Running from 2014 to 2020 with a budget of just over €70 billion, Horizon 2020 is the EU’s new programme for research and innovation and is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe.
Horizon 2020 is a core part of Europe 2020 the Innovation Union and the European Research Area and is responding to the economic crisis to invest in future jobs and growth, addressing people’s concerns about their livelihoods, safety and environment and strengthening the EU’s global position in research, innovation and technology.
Ireland is well positioned to benefit from Horizon 2020, building on our excellent performance in the last EU programme for research and development, the Seventh EU Framework Programme (FP7).
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Bailout Exit only the beginning
John said “while the Government is to be commended for exiting the bailout on time, having met all of the Troika’s requirements, this is by no means the end of the road to recovery. This exit is another step on the path economic progress. However unemployment remains far too high and we exit with a large national debt still to pay off.”
“The true test of the bailout’s success will be where we go from here. If we are to continue to progress, then a clear focus on the domestic economy – where real growth in employment will come from – is required. While tens of thousands of jobs were lost in the retail sector alone during the downturn, continual improvement in spending and confidence levels could see a reversal of this trend. However, this will only be achieved if the Government focuses on containing costs without taking any further disposable income from people through levies or stealth tax increases,” he concluded.
Carlow Retail Experience
Elaine Curtis on Potato Market is one of our local success stories:
Employers PRSI change
Chamber Treasurer Martin Carrigan has pointed out that one of the less highlighted budget changes comes into effect in the New Year and employers should be aware of it.
The reduced rate of 4.25% Employer’s PRSI is due to revert to 8.5% from 1st January 2014. In July 2011 Employer’s PRSI for those earning less than €356 per week was halved, the rate will be restored to 8.5% from the 1st of January 2014.
Example: For an employee earning €350 per week the Employer’s PRSI is currently €14.88, from the 1st of January 2014 this will increase to €29.75
This will result in an increase in Employers PRSI of €14.87 per week and €773.24 per annum from 01/01/2014 – if you have multiple employees this will result in significant extra PRSI for your business.
TIME TO FACE UP TO SOCIAL NETWORKING ISSUES - Free of Charge Event
Date: 28th of January 2014
Venue: Carlow Gateway Business Centre, Athy Road, Carlow
Time: 6.00pm to 7.00pm
The use of social networking has taken a major surge in the last number of years with the average person spending a significant part of their day on one of the many social networking sites. As a result, social networking has become an increasingly problematic issue for Irish employers.
Email: info@cktraining.ie
Website: http://www.cktraining.ie/
Location: Athy Road, Carlow, Ireland
Phone: 059 9132152
Public Procurement Survey
The annual public procurement survey which issued on Monday 9th is a vital tool on helping the public sector to improve its service to suppliers and in developing procurement policy for the public sector. It is vital that we get a consistent response from both buyers and suppliers so that valid comparisons can be made between the surveys year-on-year. So far this year we have had a very poor response from public sector buyers and if the response rate does not improve it will undermine the validity of the annual comparisons.
I would ask you to help us with this work and take 10 minutes to complete the survey.
Co Carlow Chamber
Email: ceo@carlowchamber.com
Website: www.carlowchamber.com
Location: Athy Road, Carlow, Ireland
Phone: 0599132337
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carlow.chamber
Twitter: @carlowchamber