I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 to 287, inclusive, together.
As the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, I recognise that SMEs are under pressure from rising delivery and postage costs, especially following increases in An Post parcel rates. SME’s often lack the volume needed to negotiate discounted courier rates and face disproportionate challenges from rising delivery and postage costs. My department cannot directly intervene in commercial pricing; however, it is actively addressing the broader cost environment affecting SME’s.
Last year, I established the Cost of Business Advisory Forum to examine key cost pressures facing SME's — including logistics, energy, insurance, planning, and legal costs. This group brings together business groups, government departments, regulators, and state agencies to identify cost-reduction pathways.
In addition, I published the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity, a national strategy aimed at strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness and addressing international economic pressures affecting SME cost structures.
The National Enterprise Hub (NEH) service is open to all businesses across Ireland helping them navigate and find the right Government support for their business.
The Hub brings together information on over 250 government supports from 32 different departments and state agencies which can be accessed through the online portal. Business owners can also contact the team and speak directly to an advisor by phone, email or via live chat. The advisors will help to diagnose the needs of the individual business, directing them to the appropriate available supports or indeed put them in direct contact with the relevant agency.
The National Enterprise Hub makes it easier to access Government supports on managing the costs of doing business, developing sustainability plans, enhancing productivity and efficiencies, adopting new digital technologies, and entering new export markets.
Since launching last year, the NEH has handled over 12,000 enquiries.
Furthermore, InterTradeIreland is dedicated to helping businesses across the island to break into cross-border markets as a strategic step toward international exporting.
InterTradeIreland’s Trade Hub is well established as the go-to resource for businesses navigating complex post-Brexit trade regulations. The aim of the Trade Hub is to support businesses to engage in efficient and effective cross-border trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and to help them develop and grow their export potential. It does this through its Knowledge Base which includes detailed information on matters including customs, VAT, regulation and legal, people and employment
(crossbordertradehub.intertradeireland.com/). If required, ITI can also provide tailored one-to-one consultancy support. Its knowledge base has had over 55k business engagements in 2025.
The Office of the Revenue Commissioners is the Irish authority that manages customs rules and procedures, including those that apply to postal and courier shipments. Their remit covers:
• Customs declarations for parcels
• Duties, VAT, and import restrictions
• Postal and courier procedures (e.g., An Post and private couriers)
• Clearance requirements for goods entering or leaving Ireland
Customs procedures, for an Irish exporter to a third-party country is a matter for that country. Customs procedures for goods imported into the EU Customs Union from a third-party country is a matter for the Department of Finance through Revenue and are subject to EU law. There is free movement of goods within the EU Customs Union.
