Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2004
102 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the representations he has made to the Department of Finance prior to the budget for 2005 to alleviate the burden on small business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28393/04]
View answerSenior officials from my Department are members of the tax strategy group, TSG, which is an interdepartmental committee chaired by the Department of Finance. The terms of reference of the TSG include the examination and development of proposals for measures in the areas of taxation, PRSI and levies, for the budget and Finance Bill. As the Deputy will be aware, much of the discussion prior to the budget is confidential and I am not at liberty at this juncture to disclose issues which may be included in the budget for 2005.
The Deputy can be assured that I am very much aware of the importance of small business to the economy. Only recently I welcomed the decision by the European Commission to approve the business expansion scheme and seed capital scheme with effect from 5 February 2004 for a further three years to 31 December 2006. These schemes are a vital source of seed capital, which is the life blood of start-up companies. They foster the development and growth of many small and medium enterprises leading to the creation of quality employment opportunities.
Assistance to small businesses is also delivered by a large number of agencies under my Department, including city and county enterprise boards, Enterprise Ireland, FÁS, Shannon Development and Údarás na Gaeltachta. My Department is committed to a strategy that supports and promotes entrepreneurial endeavour in the small business sector with a view to creating and developing enterprises which deliver economic growth and prosperity. A further example can be seen in the actions being taken to address competitiveness issues such as the new insurance regime which will obviously benefit small business to a significant extent.
To ensure that the voice of small business is heard, my Department also provides a forum, through the Round Table for Small Business, where issues of concern to small firms can be raised. The Round Table comprises representatives of small business, the development agencies and the Department. In general, the Government is mindful of the continuing need to constantly improve all aspects of the business environment for small business.
