Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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157. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost of re-establishing the workers' co-operative development unit within his Department. [22200/23]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The general scheme of the Co-operative Societies Bill 2022 sets out a modern legal framework which will place the co-operative model on a more favourable and clear legal basis. This will encourage the consideration of the co-operative model as an attractive formation option for entrepreneurs and also for social and community activities. A modern legislative basis, including strong corporate governance requirements, will also provide confidence to stakeholders and help to encourage investment in co-operatives.

The general scheme has been informed by extensive consultation and engagement with key stakeholders. My Department will continue to engage widely with key stakeholders to raise awareness of the proposed legislation and the potential for those who wish to follow the co-operative ethos to grow and prosper under the modernised co-operative regime. This will include liaison with the co-operative sector and their representative bodies; the enterprise development agencies; other relevant Government Departments; professional advisers and direct communication by the Registrar of Friendly Societies with individual societies.

It is considered that the most appropriate way to raise awareness of the potential benefits of the co-operative model is through existing channels and structures. However, my Department will keep matters under review in the context of preparations for the forthcoming legislation.

It should be noted that the co-operative model is one of a number of corporate options available to those considering establishing themselves in business. However, the choice of corporate model is a matter for the founders of any business and my Department does not promote any particular corporate structure over any other.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current budget for the Companies Registration Office; and the estimated cost of increasing its budget by 5%, 10%, and 20%. [22201/23]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Companies Registration Office (CRO) is funded under the Regulation programme of my Department's Vote. The CRO does not receive any capital funding but it does receive current funding to support its operations. A total of €8.424m has been provided to support the CRO in 2023. The table below outlines the estimated cost of increasing this allocation by 5%, 10% and 20%.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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159. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will provide a list of the agencies under his Department that had an underspend in 2022. [22202/23]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The table below sets out the list of underspends incurred by the Agencies under the auspices of my Department at the end of 2022

*Enterprise Ireland is funded under two separate subheads on the DETE Vote (Subheads A7 and B4)

The figures in the above table reflect the allocations confirmed to the Agencies following the approval of my Department's Supplementary Estimate by the Dáil last December. The figures also include the deferred surrender capital funding provided to the Agencies as per the requisite order under section 9 of the Finance Act. The underspends recorded in the table reflect the outturns as recorded in the Departments draft 2022 Appropriation Account.