ISME at work for you

Business Crime Survey 2021

We have launched our annual Business Crime Survey and will be asking you to share your experiences with business crime during the 12 months of 2021. The results of the survey are published on our website and shared with media to show the impact of crime on businesses in Ireland. You can complete the survey here.

Promote with ISME

The next issue of The bISME is out in May so book your ad now, view details here. We offer reduced rates for members and discounts for multiple bookings. Don’t forget our Shop Local B2C and B2B platforms, advertise your products and services by completing the form here. This is a great opportunity to promote your business and inclusion is free with your ISME Membership, non-members can also advertise, details available here. Take a look at the portal here. Members can also upload business news and job vacancies in the Members Area. For further information please email Marketing@isme.ie.

Watch on demand

We have created a Cybersecurity page on the website here where you can get advice on managing cybersecurity for your business. Re-watch our free online panel discussion about protecting your business from cybercriminals here. You can also view a webinar from Spector IT here offering steps to follow to avoid a cyber-attack. ISME and the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) have developed a web page offering businesses support in managing stress in the workplace. Here you can find a Managing Stress at Work webinar, a series of videos and resources to help you and your employees.

Cost saving with ISME Affinity

As business costs continue to rise and income for so many at the moment has been challenged, we want you to take ADVANTAGE of your ISME Membership to reduce your costs and add value to your business through ISME’s ADVANTAGE Affinity programme. Members can save up to 50% on broadband, insurance, accounting & HR software, advertising, merchant services and much more. To access these offers, Members need to log into isme.ie via the Members Area.

ISME in the news

You can view a selection of ISME’s media coverage in January and February here.

Pensions Equity Campaign Q&A

View our webinar on 10th February with ISME CEO, Neil McDonnell and Eamonn Kielty, Managing Director, Money Plus who discussed why ISME’s Pension Equity Campaign is so important and how businesses can get involved. The discussion was chaired by broadcaster Vincent Wall. View the webinar and download slides here.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

PowerPoint 365 Journey

Tuesday 22nd – Wednesday 23rd February, 12.00 – 2.00pm Book here

Returning to Work: New Guidance for Employers.

Friday 25th February, 8.00 – 9.30am Book here

ISME’s HR Series 2022: Managing a remote or hybrid workforce

Friday, 25th February, 12.00 – 1.00pm Book here:

PowerPoint Template Masterclass – how to create a template using the Slide Master

Wednesday 2nd March, 8.30 – 10.30am Book here

Pitch my business

Thursday, 3rd March, 10.30am Register here.

PowerPoint Video Creation Masterclass – how to create an MP4 video

Tuesday 8th March & Friday 11th March 12.00 – 1.30pm Book here

PowerPoint – presenting online with maximum impact

Monday, 14th February, 12.00 – 1.00pm Book here:

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

ISME’s HR Series 2022: Absence Management, Income & Sick Pay

Friday 25th March, 8.00 – 9.30am Book here

ISME Regional Meeting: North West & Pitch my business

Thursday 7th April, 3.30 – 5.30pm Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon Register here

ISME’s HR Series 2022: Contracts and Handbooks

Wednesday 27th April, 8.00 –9.30am

ISME is coming to the North West

We are inviting all businesses in the North West to join us on Thursday 7th April at 3.30 - 5.30pm for our first regional meeting in 2022. The event will take place in the Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon and will be focusing on issues related to the North West, programme details tbc. After the meeting we will be hosting our Pitch your business networking event, the first time we could do this in room since 2020 – a great opportunity to connect and promote. This event is free and open to all, please book your place here.

Pitch my business

The first Pitch my business of 2022 will take place on Thursday 3rd March at 10.30am. This online networking event is free and open to all. As an attendee you can network and promote your company and your business logo and contact details are shared on screen. Register here.

Ireland’s fluid transfer experts

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Industrial hoses

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Lobbying update

ISME calls for integration of the Taxation and Social Welfare systems

ISME sent a submission to the Commission on Taxation and Welfare calling for the integration of the taxation and social welfare system. We have highlighted how the taxation and social welfare system are inherently interlined for the taxpaying-citizen, but has noted that the pace of reform in Ireland is too slow. We have outlined a number of recommendations for consideration by the Commission, including: • Raising the Standard Rate Cut-Off Point to 95% of the average industrial wage as soon as possible. • Pending removal of the 3% USC surcharge on the self-employed earning over €100,000, and apply this surcharge to all workers earning over €100,000. • In order to encourage the stated goal of increasing private sector pension coverage: 1. end the discrimination against private sector pension savers in the amount of income they can save for pensions; 2. maintain marginal rate relief and extend it to all savers; and 3. allow private sector workers with a chargeable excess tax liability, to discharge it in the same manner as a public sector worker. • Set the basic rate for qualifying for the medical card at more than 30% above the comparable Jobseekers assistance rate. • Replace the child element in the Jobseekers’ payments and all other welfare schemes by substantially increasing Child Benefit, phasing out Working Family Benefit, and at the same time making the Child Benefit taxable. • Significantly increase the income thresholds for access to social housing and reform or remove the link between income and local authority rent. You can view the full submission here. ISME expresses concern over reports of scaled back Ministerial trips for St Patrick’s Day 2022

ISME has expressed its concern at reports that Government intends to pare back the number of Ministers travelling abroad for St Patrick’s Day this year. While acknowledging that the pandemic is far from over on a global basis, ISME believes that it is vital that our Government avails of the unique opportunity presented by the marking of St Patrick’s Day, after two years of restricted trade. Neil McDonnell, CEO of ISME said: “We ask that media outlets refrain from portraying these visiting delegations as junkets: they are an essential part of selling Ireland abroad, a function which we consider to be a basic duty for “the executive.” He added “Ireland is back in business, and St Patrick’s Day 2022 is the perfect opportunity for the Irish Government to deliver than message internationally.” Read more here.