Advisory Group on Small Business Recommendations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2015

Wednesday, 15 July 2015

Questions (15)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

15. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he consulted with his Department's advisory group on small business on the impact of attachment orders on small and micro-businesses. [28665/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

As the Deputy is aware the purpose of the Advisory Group on Small Business (AGSB) is to give a greater voice in the development of policy to SMEs and to advise me as Minister on issues of relevance to SMEs. In addition to this, the Group provides on-going assistance and advice to relevant Government Departments and Agencies on any issues affecting SMEs by identifying those issues that impact on the growth and development of SMEs, suggesting priorities and examining possible solutions.

The AGSB was reconstituted late last year and now includes members from the farming community and the start-up community, in addition to the SME representative organisations.

The issue of attachment orders has not been raised by any member of the AGSB. However, officials from my Department have recently raised the issue of the enforcement of debt by means of attachment of earnings and the implications for business and employers with Irish Water through the Irish Water Stakeholder Forum, and are currently awaiting a response.