Work of the Small Business Unit

Small Business Advisory Group

The Small Business Advisory Group, chaired by Minister Perry was established on 16^th June 2011. The objective of this group is to facilitate structured and regular dialogue between the Minister and representatives of the small business sector on issues of concern. The membership is focussed on business people with direct experience in running a business.

Primarily, the Group will provide policy advice for onward reference to Government, on the key issues affecting the SME sector and what initiatives/actions could address these.

Three meetings have been held to date, with a fourth meeting arranged for October 2011.

Late Payment Legislation

The Unit promotes improved payment practices and monitors the operation of the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act, 1997, and the Late Payment in Commercial Transactions 2002 The Regulations implement EU Directive 2000/35/EC on combating late payment in commercial transactions. The Unit has issued A Guide for Business on combating late payments in commercial transactions.

European SME Week

The third European SME Week takes place between 3-9 October 2011. Coordinated by the European Commission, this campaign promotes enterprise across Europe in line with the Small Business Act for Europe.

It is taking place in 37 countries, so events and activities – national, regional or local – will be as close as possible to existing and potential entrepreneurs.

These events – organised by business organisations, business support providers and national, regional and local authorities – will also enable existing companies to share their experience and develop further themselves.

European SME Week 2011 – 3 to 9 October – aims to:

Provide information on what the EU and national, regional and local authorities are offering as support to micro, small and medium-sized businesses;

Promote entrepreneurship so that more people, and in particular younger ones, seriously consider becoming an entrepreneur as a career option;

Give recognition to entrepreneurs for their contribution to Europe’s welfare, jobs, innovation and competitiveness.

European Charter for Small Enterprises

The Unit is responsible for implementation of the Charter and provides an Annual Report to the European Commission on measures taken in Ireland under each of the headings set out in the Charter, which was agreed by the EU Member States in Feira (2000).

EUGO

The EUGO network of Points of Single Contact assists business to provide services in the EU by proving information and assistance with completing the relevant administrative procedures required. Irish based businesses can access information through the relevant Point of Single Contact on the procedures required for doing business in the EU. (e.g an Irish business can contact the Hungarian Point of Single Contact if they wish to provide services in Hungary).

The Irish National Point of Single Contact website can also be found in the link below.

http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/eu-go/index_en.htm

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development

The Unit also has responsibility for OECD initiatives in relation to enterprise and entrepreneurship policy including, in particular, the OECD ‘Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship’ and ‘Local Economic and Employment Development’ (LEED) Programme.