I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 60 and 72 together.
Indications of the state of euro-readiness of Irish firms have been ascertained from the ongoing surveys that have been conducted as part of the EMU business awareness campaign, which is managed on behalf of the Government by Forfás.
Two surveys have been conduced to date, a benchmark study in July 1997 with a follow-up study completed in March of this year. Field work has commenced on a third survey to be completed by mid December. These surveys have been undertaken on an ongoing basis to determine not only the prevailing levels of awareness among Irish enterprises for EMU but to assess the degree of progress which firms have made with their preparations over the intervening period.
The key findings of the most recent survey, carried out in March last, are that 50 per cent of firms surveyed have appointed an individual to steer the company's planning and to gather information, approaching twice the levels recorded at the benchmark stage, 28 per cent; 27 per cent have performed a business impact analysis, an increase from 18 per cent; 51 per cent of the companies have identified the functional implications previously 34 per cent; 27 per cent have prepared functional work plans for the changeover — previously 16 per cent; 12 per cent have designed tests for the practical implementation of change, up from 8 per cent in July last year.
