asked the Minister for Labour if he is conducting an audit of paperwork requirements imposed by his Department, or by agencies under his aegis, on business; if so, when the audit commenced; the named officer, if any, in charge of the audit; if any report thereon has yet been presented to the Minister for Industry and Commerce; if so, the contents thereof; if any practices or regulations have yet been altered as a result of the audit; if so, the details thereof; if he has prepared any report on the compliance costs to industry of legislation being prepared by his Department; the way in which these reports compare in content, scope or purpose with reports on this subject already required by decisions of the previous Government; and if he will outline the subjects being covered by the audit now being conducted in his Department.
Written Answers. - Paperwork Requirements Imposed on Business.
I would refer the Deputy to an answer I gave to Question No. 34 on Thursday 5 May 1988. The audit which commenced in mid-April is being carried out by a senior officer in the policy and planning unit. As the report is not yet finalised, I am not in a position to disclose any details at this stage.
Since March 1988, each Minister is required to arrange for compliance cost assessments of all proposed new measures or changes in the regulatory environment which affect industry. Previously Ministers were required to provide this information only for new proposals being submitted to Government. In formulating new proposals I propose to consult with all interested bodies so the burden on industry is kept to a minimum while still maintaining the basic rights of workers.