Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the percentage by which she has reduced the administrative cost of regulation to business; the extent to which the 25% reduction target has been achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44997/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the High Level Group has identified over €20m in cost savings to business as a result of simplified administrative procedures in various parts of Government. The Government's commitment is to reduce the administrative burden on Irish business by 25% by 2012 and this demanding target is a key priority.

The High Level Group is tasked with identifying where legislation has imposed an administrative burden, or "red tape", on business and with recommending ways to reduce that burden, without undermining the policy objectives behind the regulation. The work of the Group is focused on concrete measures in specific policy areas, including taxation, statistics, environment, health and safety, employment and company law. The first report of the Group sets out a number of instances where procedures have been simplified, making it easier for business to deal with Government, for example: e-filing of annual returns to the Companies Registration Office; on-line access to tax clearance certificates for Government contracts; increased exemption thresholds for VAT registration; and higher thresholds exempting small businesses from having to conduct a statutory audit.

In addition, further changes to reduce the burden on business are expected in the procedures surrounding waste collection permits, road haulage permits and employment permits. In addition to the work of the High Level Group, my Department has put in place a process across all Departments that will measure the administrative cost of red tape on business arising from domestic legislation.

As in all the other countries that have done this, it will take about a year and a half to complete the measurement process. In line with the recommendation of the Business Regulation Forum we are adopting a prioritised approach. Initially, all Government Departments are required to list the Information Obligations which their regulations impose on business. From that listing, Departments will assess, in consultation with business, which requirements are the most burdensome. They will then measure the actual cost to business of the most burdensome requirements. At that point the most appropriate approach to achieving the Government target to reduce the administrative burden of domestic regulation on business by 25% by 2012 will be determined.

With regard to future regulations the Government has agreed that all Departments should measure the administrative cost on business and specifically examine the impact on small business.