Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 117: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals to remove the bureaucracy that surrounds the setting up of small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25830/09]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The 2009 World Bank "Doing Business 2009" Report, ranks Ireland 5th for starting a business and 7th for the overall ease of doing business in Ireland, in terms of the number of procedures required. These rankings are unchanged from 2008.

Small businesses can set up immediately as sole traders or as limited companies, through registering with the Companies Registration Office (CRO). The CRO offers facilities for on-line registration and for traditional paper-based registrations.

Under the on-line basis, such applications are processed within 24 hours of receipt, at present, provided all required information is in order. Over 90% of applications are received using this arrangement. Paper-based applications are processed within 48 hours of receipt provided all documentation is in order. Registration On-Line costs €50 while paper-based registration costs €100.