Vol. 544 No. 3
100 Mr. Quinn 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. [28654/01]
In July of this year a survey undertaken by the Forfás Business Awareness Campaign indicated that there were still a large number of SMEs which had made few preparations for the euro changeover. A more recent survey undertaken in October of this year indicates a considerably improved situation in the level of preparations by SMEs for the euro currency regime.
The survey, based on more than 1,000 completed questionnaires, found that, for the economy in general, 81% of firms had either undertaken or are undertaking forward planning activities, while for those firms with 21 to 50 employees the corresponding figure is 96%. For those very small firms of one to ten employees the corresponding figure is approximately 76%.
Notwithstanding the improved level of response, the Forfás business awareness campaign will remain active until 1 January 2002, and there are still a number of information meetings programmed for November throughout the country.
This improved level of preparedness of SMEs as demonstrated by the Forfás survey indicates that the small business community is taking the appropriate action to remedy any previous shortcomings perceived in this regard. I have no doubt that the level of preparedness of the SME sector will continue to improve until the changeover on 1 January 2001.
