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

The website contains three principal sections. Firstly, 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. It also provides a table setting out the generic regulatory requirements for establishing a business and details of the online tools available. Secondly, 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. Thirdly, there is 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 also used throughout the development of the site.

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.

Launching the new website Minister Bruton said: “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”.