Written answers

Tuesday, 17 June 2008

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Knowledge Base

11:00 pm

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 506: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a steering committee has been formed to develop, create and support a first-stop knowledge base as recommended in the report of the Small Business Forum; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of this group; the dates on which the group has met; the actions taken by the group to date; if an advisory group has been established to the steering group; the membership of this advisory group; the dates on which this advisory group has met; the terms of reference of the advisory group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22673/08]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Following on from the recommendation of the Small Business Forum, the development, launch and promotion of a first-stop "Knowledge Base" in the form of a comprehensive central resource of relevant, up-to-date, user-led business information for entrepreneurs, owner/ managers and their advisers is currently under consideration by my Department.

In addressing this, the Department has been cognisant of other policy initiatives impacting on the introduction of a Knowledge Base for business, including the Report of the High Level Group on Manufacturing published on 2 April 2008 which endorsed the Small Business Forum's recommendation in this area.

In addition, developments at EU level in relation to the establishment of 'points of single contact' for businesses operating within the Single Market under the Services Directive, will also have to be taken into consideration in terms of the potential scope of the Knowledge Base proposed.

A timescale of at least two years is envisaged for the implementation of this project in an appropriate manner. This process will include consultations with the relevant business interests on their views and advice on, inter alia, the content required for inclusion on the proposed Knowledge Base.

I expect to establish shortly, a Steering Group with specific terms of reference and appropriate membership, to advance work on the recommendation.

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