Enterprise minister aims to 'slash red tape' for small businesses 

Enterprise minister Peter Burke recently introduced an ‘SME test’, with Government departments and agencies required to measure the potential impact of new policies on small and medium-sized business.

The enterprise minister has called on Government agencies to cut red tape and simplify State engagement processes with small businesses.

Peter Burke is set to meet with the heads of all agencies under his department’s remit on Tuesday, calling for simplification of processes that small businesses engage with, including reducing the size and complexity of application forms for grants.

“The aim is for his agencies to significantly simplify their policies, slash red tape and make any forms or statutory applications much more accessible, reducing and eliminating unnecessary steps,” a Government source said.

“Only vital information should be asked for, proportionate to the size of the business and risk involved.”

Mr Burke recently introduced an ‘SME test’, with Government departments and agencies required to measure the potential impact of new policies on small and medium-sized business.

The source said that agencies will now be asked to outline how they have simplified their regulations for small businesses each year.

The enterprise minister previously wrote to the heads of the 19 agencies under his remit, where he outlined that some of their processes are “excessive and off-putting” for small businesses. The source said:

The Minister is determined to make progress on this, linked to tangible changes and outcomes and in line with the Government’s renewed focus on competitiveness.

Also on Tuesday, Mr Burke is expected to update Cabinet on the implementation of the trade and investment strategy, amid the shock coming from US tariffs.

This is set to include a programme of ministerial trade and tourism missions throughout the rest of the year.

Consideration will be given to a major trade mission week, where the Taoiseach will lead a delegation of ministers to a country for a week-long trade mission.

This previously took place in November 2023, with ministers travelling to Korea to meet with businesses and political leaders.

A destination is yet to be decided, but is likely to focus on a country where Irish ministers can get the most access and impact.

Meanwhile, it is expected that justice minister Jim O’Callaghan will bring forward a six month extension to laws allowing for outdoor seating at pubs and other licenced premises.

The laws were initially introduced as an emergency measure during the covid-19 pandemic, but it is expected the Government will introduce new laws to make the provision permanent.

The extension itself is being brought forward to give clarity to pubs, local authorities, and gardaí.

It comes as the department of finance has published a report outlining how Ireland’s economy recovered following the pandemic, showing that 400,000 jobs were created since 2022.

The report finds that supports provided to both employees and employers prevented longer-term “scarring” effects on Ireland’s labour market.