There has been a marked improvement in business confidence among small firms, according to the latest quarterly survey by the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME).
It found that business optimism levels are at their highest level since early 2001 with over one-third of respondents (35%) more optimistic about prospects than they were 12 months ago.
This is a significant improvement on the corresponding figure as reported this time last year, when only 13% were more optimistic.
Employment prospects are particularly positive, with 30% of companies expecting to employ more during the next twelve months, compared with a relatively low 10% who indicated they would employ less - a new gain of 20%.
To put the figures into perspective, this time last year SMEs were forecasting a net 7% reduction in employment.
