Vol. 522 No. 4
59 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions taken to create awareness to help businesses to prepare themselves for European Monetary Union and the changeover to the euro; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18831/00]
An EMU business awareness campaign, has been managed by Forfás on behalf of my Department, since 1996. The primary aim of this campaign is to ensure business operations in Ireland are in possession of all the information necessary to fully prepare them for the introduction of the single currency the euro. The campaign has harnessed the support and co-operation of all the main business, trade and professional organisations together with the relevant State development agencies.
To date a comprehensive range of publications has been produced and widely disseminated to the business community together with a number of media campaigns. These include: 60,000 copies of the campaign's information pack, which is a comprehensive guide for business on all the relevant issues; 143,000 copies of a short, user-friendly brochure summarising the key issues for SMEs in relation to EMU and the changeover to the euro; 28,000 copies of a guide to facilitate those involved in cross border trade, 94,000 copies of an initial guide for retailers Is Your Retail Business Ready for the euro? 45,000 copies of comprehensive guidelines on the IT issues that need to be considered by companies regarding the changeover to the euro; and a regular newsletter, EuroChange, of which 12 issues have been produced todate, with over 25,000 copies of each issue distributed.
I am satisfied that the information and supports which Irish businesses require to make the necessary preparations is widely available through the Forfás EMU business awareness campaign and other business sources. I must emphasise, however, that the final responsibility for preparing for EMU and the changeover to the euro ultimately rests with each individual business firm.
