Written answers

Thursday, 16 October 2014

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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24. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding progress on introducing an integrated licensing application service which will reduce the regulatory burden on small and medium enterprises in the retail sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39073/14]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Integrated Licensing Application Service was a Disruptive Reform in the Action Plan for Jobs 2013 with the delivery of such as Service to the Retail Sector in the first instance.

This Disruptive Reform was based on findings in a Forfás report on "A Review and Audit of Licences" that businesses had to apply for a multiplicity of licences adding to their administrative burden.

A Steering Group was established to oversee the process with membership from key licensing authorities for the Retail Sector and chaired by the Minister for Small Business.

The initial focus is on 29 core licences across 40 licensing authorities (this includes the 34 Local Authorities).

There were a number of project parameters that influenced the process:

- No additional cost to the business user;

- Use of the Service by Licensing Authorities would not be mandatory; and

- No additional exchequer funding for the project.

The Steering Group agreed an approach of outsourced provision on a Finance-Design-Build-Operatemodel.

A Statutory Instrument (S.I. No. 83 of 2014) was signed by the Minister of the Environment, Community and Local Government in February 2014 to extend the powers of the LGMA so that they could act as the Contracting Authority for this Service on behalf of the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

A Request for Tender for a Single Supplier Framework Agreement for the provision of an Integrated Licensing Application Service, signed-off by the Chief State Solicitor's Office, was issued through etenders and in the EU Official Journal on 21st February 2014 with a closing date of 17th April 2014.

A letter was issued (on 7th March 2014) from the Secretary General of DJEI to Secretaries Generals of other government departments requesting assistance in identifying all the licensing authorities under their auspices so that they can be included and named as Framework Clients in the services contract between the Contracting Authority and the appointed Service Provider.

The Evaluation Panel, chaired by the LGMA, has concluded and recommended to award the tender and award the contract.

A Contract Award Notice has been published in the EU Official Journal - An Post with Escher (as their technology partner) have been awarded the contract to a value of €3,000,000 over a 7 year period.

Contract conclusions have commenced between the LGMA and An Post.

The Steering Groupmet on 9thOctober 2014 with the main outcomes being:

- Licensing Authorities are up-to-date on the process/project;

- Awareness of any issues from the Licensing Authorities perspective on the project;

- Commitment from the Licensing Authorities to engage in discussions about the potential use of the Service with An Post after the contract is signed; and

- Detailed costings for use of the Service will be devolved to each Licensing Authority at that stage as part of the Service Contract discussions between each Licensing Authority and the Service Provider.
The next stepsare as follows:
- The LGMA will continue with contract conclusions with An Post – it is envisaged that this will be complete by the end of October 2014;

- A Memo for Information will be brought to Government before the contract is signed; and

- The Framework Agreement contract will then be signed with An Post with the aim of having the Service available to Licensing Authorities by year end.
This action which was originally due for delivery in Q4 2013 was delayed primarily due to the public procurement process embarked upon. A new delivery date of Q4 2014 is being targeted to have the service available to licensing authorities.

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