Written Answers. - Euro Changeover.
Paul Connaughton
Question:
58
Mr. Connaughton
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if she intends distributing a training pack for retailers advising on staff training with a view to being prepared for the euro changeover; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[17281/01]
Our Department has specific responsibility for providing information to assist all businesses, including SMEs, with their preparations for the euro currency which will come into being on 1 January next.
The EMU business awareness campaign, which is managed by Forfás on behalf of our Department, has undertaken this task since it was launched in December 1996. To date, the campaign has produced a comprehensive range of publications of relevance to all sectors of the Irish economy which have been widely disseminated to Irish businesses. The campaign also recently held a national conference on the euro in Loughrea, County Galway, which highlighted the changeover experiences of all SME firms involved in the Loughrea euro town project as they switched to euro based trading. The Loughrea project identified many practical issues for SMEs in preparing for the euro throughout Ireland and beyond.
A comprehensive training pack for retailers for the purpose of staff training has been prepared by Forfás and will be widely distributed to the retail sector. The distribution of this pack will commence next month.
Ulick Burke
Question:
59
Mr. U. Burke
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
when publication of a comprehensive guide for small and medium size enterprises to facilitate a smooth transition to the euro might be expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[17272/01]
Emmet Stagg
Question:
89
Mr. Stagg
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the specific proposals she has to ensure the maximum possible level of preparation, having regard to the concerns she has expressed regarding the lack of preparation, for the introduction of the euro among small companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[17234/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 89 together.
Our Department has specific responsibility for providing information to assist all businesses, including SMEs, with their preparations for the changeover to the euro. The EMU business awareness campaign, which is managed by Forfás on behalf of our Department, has undertaken this task since it was launched in December 1996. To date, the campaign has produced a comprehensive range of publications which have been widely disseminated to Irish business.
A detailed booklet dealing with the specific needs of SMEs was published recently covering key areas of preparation, including accounting, software, payroll, Revenue and other issues and 110,000 copies have been issued to SME representative bodies and individual SMEs. A training pack is being produced specifically for retailers for the purpose of staff training; this will be widely distributed to retailers commencing in July.
As regards the general lack of preparation, a survey conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, in December last shows that 72% of Irish firms have received information on the changeover and have expressed high levels of satisfaction with the information received. However, it is clear from the same research that a considerable number of firms have yet to act on the information provided, particularly in the case of SME firms.
During the second half of this year Forfás will intensify its activities in preparing SMEs for the changeover. These intensified activities will include a major media advertising campaign and continued monitoring of progress through surveys and presentations to business groups. Since the start of this year the Forfás EMU business awareness campaign has included the following specific activities: new guidelines to assist retailers in planning for the changeover, of which 200,000 copies have been distributed through a wide variety of channels including direct distribution by post to retailers; presentations on the relevant EMU planning issues for business at meetings, conferences and-or seminars of professional, trade and business organisations, particularly those that represent companies in the SME sector; exhibition stands at appropriate conferences, trade and business exhibitions that facilitate dissemination of campaign messages, particularly to companies in the SME sector; articles/features in relevant publications, newsletters and journals of trade, business and professional organisations, particularly those focused on companies in the SME sector.
In addition, the campaign will continue with its joint information initiative withRunning Your Business, the magazine of the Small Firms Association which is circulated to a dedicated list of 30,000 small firms. There is a LoCall helpline to assist businesses with their queries regarding changeover issues. A national conference on the euro, which was held in Loughrea, County Galway, highlighted the changeover experiences of the SME firms involved in the Loughrea euro town project as they switched to euro based trading. The Loughrea project, which has been run under the auspices of the Forfás EMU business awareness campaign, has identified many practical issues for SMEs in preparing for the euro throughout Ireland and beyond.
Ultimately, however, it is the responsibility of each firm to ensure that they are able to conduct their business in euro from 1 January 2002. The EMU business awareness campaign can only assist by providing the necessary information that will assist them to do this. I am satisfied that the necessary information has been, and continues to be, provided to Irish businesses to facilitate them with this task.
