Reducing Red Tape For Business

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD has launched businessregulation.ie, a new website aimed at reducing the burden of red tape on business by bringing together in one place clear information on regulations imposed by over 30 Government bodies and how to comply with them.

The website was developed to address a clear need identified by business for a single source of information on regulatory requirements. By providing users with over 150 separate links to information, guidance and contact details, the portal reduces the need to trawl through multiple pages on different websites in search of the right information.

Today’s launch represents delivery ahead of schedule of a key Q3 commitment in Action Plan for Jobs 2012, and forms part of a range of measures aimed at reducing the burden of red tape on business, including:
Reforming and consolidating the five existing employment rights bodies into two streamlined bodies
Delivering a 25% reduction in administrative burdens imposed on business
Enabling online compliance with regulations where possible

Launching the new website Minister Bruton said:

“A key part of our plan for jobs and growth is reducing costs, particularly by reducing where possible the burden that Government regulations impose on business. One problem identified by business was the lack of one single online source of information on regulations and how to comply with them, and so today we have launched businessregulation.ie so that businesses no longer have to search multiple Government websites to find out their obligations.

“With today’s launch of businessregulation.ie, I am convinced that small businesses in particular will find compliance easier. Through the Action Plan for Jobs, we in Government will continue implementing changes to cut red tape, reduce costs, make it easier to start-up and expand a business and create the jobs we need”.


The website contains three principal sections:

1. For start-up businesses the portal contains links to information on registering a company or business name, setting up for tax purposes and requirements when employing staff. This section also provides a table setting out the generic regulatory requirements for establishing a business and details of the online tools available.

2. Under ‘Key Regulations for all Businesses’ the portal provides links on financial and structural regulation, employer and Health & Safety requirements and location-based regulation such as waste or planning. The portal also informs businesses about CSO and Revenue business surveys, data protection requirements and consumer-related information. Where appropriate the portal points to specific tools such as Revenue’s Online Service ROS and the Health and Safety Authority’s BeSMART, which helps businesses to quickly and easily develop their own risk assessment and safety statement.

3. A range of sector-specific information, which will be expanded as necessary in response to business needs. This section currently focuses on agriculture, forestry, food, fisheries, construction, retail, e-selling, transport, hospitality, security, pharmacy and manufacturing.

Businessregulation.ie was developed by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in close cooperation with business and inspection and enforcement agencies (though the Risk Based Enforcement Group). Focus groups with business were an integral element of the portal’s development; businessregulation.ie’s content and its clear layout are the result of this extensive engagement with regulatory agencies and business throughout the process, and the reaction of businesspeople who have tested the site has been very positive.

Business members of the High Level Group on Business Regulation, chaired by Minister for Small Business John Perry TD, also provided feedback on the portal from an early stage.

Minister Perry said: “It was vital to have the voice of business participating in the development of this portal from the beginning so that it addresses the real needs of the small business community.Businessregulation.ie is an excellent resource for SMEs; I would urge businesses to make full use of it.”