Vol. 472 No. 3
25 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, he has on foot of the recommendation by Forfás to provide State funding for business representative bodies; and if he supports such a proposal. [23206/96]
"Shaping Our Future: A Strategy for Enterprise in Ireland in the 21st Century" published in May 1996 stated on page 128 that information and advice on areas of opportunity and business development will further facilitate the growth of all services. These advisory and information services should predominately be provided by trade associations, which might be established as service companies in their own right making profits based on the services provided to their membership, and local enterprise groups.
It also stated that the State should facilitate and encourage by seed funding if necessary, the establishment of these trade associations. To explore how this development could be progressed, Forfás commissioned Goodbody's to undertake a study of business representative associations in Ireland. This study has been undertaken in consultation with the main federations of associations — Irish Business and Employers Federation (IBEC), Irish Small and Medium Enterprise (ISME), Small Firms Association (SFA), Chambers of Commerce of Ireland (CII), and the Irish Coalition of Service Industries (ICS). The consultants have completed a draft and Forfás has now commenced a process of consultation on the study's findings and recommendations prior to the preparation of the final report.
The process of consultation is currently under way. When complete, the report will be considered by the board of Forfás and the appropriate recommendations will be provided to me.
