Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the baseline compliance cost base across different Departments, against which the Government has set the target of a reduction of 25% in the regulatory cost for business; if she has identified separate targets in respect of different areas of compliance cost; if a standard 25% reduction across all areas of business interfaces with the public sector is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18658/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In March 2008, the Government decided to reduce the administrative burden of domestic regulation on business by 25% by 2012. Administrative burdens include the cost of e.g. form filling, returns, applications, retaining records etc as required on foot of regulations.

This target was set in response to the invitation to Member States by the European Council to set national targets in line with the European Commission's 25% target reduction in the burden of EU regulations.

My Department is responsible for devising the methodology to be used across Government, for coordinating the work across Government Departments and Agencies and for reporting to Government on progress.

Initially, all Government Departments will be required to list the Information Obligations which their regulations impose on business. From that listing, Departments will assess which requirements are the most burdensome and will then measure the actual cost to business of the most burdensome requirements. At that point the most appropriate approach to achieving the overall 25% target will be re-examined, including the appropriate target for individual Departments and Agencies.