William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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467. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum; the number of SMEs which have benefited to date from its aim of reducing the cost of running a business and addressing delays which can impact the operation of businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62205/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The establishment of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum delivers on the commitment - set out the Programme for Government 2025 - regarding supports for Small Business, Enterprise and Industries. The first meeting of the Forum took place on the 11th of June with representatives in attendance from across Ireland’s enterprise sector (including the SMEs) and joined by officials from a variety of State Agencies, Regulators, and Government Departments. At present, there are twenty four bodies - representing all aspects of Ireland's enterprise base - participating regularly in the work of the Forum.

The Forum is tripartite collaboration bringing together a broad section representative bodies spanning multiple sectors such as retail, tourism, and agriculture as well as the multinational corporations we have welcomed to our shores. The purpose is to jointly consider those issues that can lead to higher costs for businesses in Ireland, any associated regulatory or infrastructural issues that merit a changed approach, and those steps that could be taken to mitigate these issues.

There have been two further meetings over the past five months. In June, the Forum considered Energy Costs and Security of Supply following a session on Insurance Costs in September. Furthermore, the Forum is scheduled to meet in mid-November to consider Regulation and Planning: Regulatory Burden and Infrastructural Delivery.

The Forum is scheduled to report to Government in Q1 2026.