The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association has welcomed the latest employment figures but has warned the government that SMEs are being forced to take a cautious approach to hiring – due to labour cost uncertainty. The association reminded government that job growth will only come when SMEs know their costs. 

Because of the cost uncertainty, job growth is slowing, with the seasonally adjusted Live Register figure decreasing by 2,200, leaving 330,000 people signing on the dole, ISME claims. Long-term claimants still account for 46.4% of the total. 

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