James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move:

In page 10, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:"(7) The Minister at the end of each year (beginning with the year ending 31 December 2018) shall prepare and lay before each House of the Oireachtas an anonymised report outlining why applications for KDB certificates were not successful.".

This amendment requires a knowledge database to be prepared pertaining to applications for a knowledge development box certificate where those applications are unsuccessful. It follows in the spirit of the previous amendment in that, where an SME is reviewing the feasibility of a client for the knowledge box certificate, it would be able to build over time a database of successful and unsuccessful applications. In other words, there would be a record maintained of the applications, starting in 2018, so that when an application is being considered the following year or in the years thereafter, there will be some indication as to whether it will be successful or not. In other words, the parameters of the application would be set out. There is a precedent associated with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner. It keeps a record of decisions made on particular cases. This allows future applicants in the same situation to look back at precedent and decide whether it is worth their while applying.

My amendment suggests that we create a database of unsuccessful applications that would be used to influence and advise regarding further applications in subsequent years. Those concerned could then make an informed call as to the merits, or otherwise, of an application. It would reduce the number of unsuccessful applications and it should really lead to a much more streamlined process. Again, in the spirit of the previous amendment, it should increase confidence in the applicants. Companies in the SME sector, where cash flow is very relevant, should have the opportunity to have certainty and confidence before they enter into an application.

See this speech in context