Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, TD, and Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD welcome the publication of the 2017 Annual Report and Accounts for Microfinance Ireland

Microfinance loan funding supported 1,141 jobs €5.5m in loans were approved to 400 small businesses MFI achieved best in class under the European Commission’s European Code of Good Conduct for Microfinance provision Provides the lowest cost of any Government job initiative – €2,000 per job Micro enterprises outside of Dublin account for 79% of loans…

Training in Lean practices Essential for Business today

Companies seeking efficiencies in their work processes are advised to consider lean as a means of streamlining workflow, eliminating waste and gaining financial savings. This was the advice given at a recent Shannon Chamber workshop, which featured presentations from lean specialists LBS Partners from Limerick and Shannon-based Element Six, who have successfully adopted lean.  …

EXPLORE Programme aims to increase Lifelong Learning rates, provide new opportunities for existing workforce

Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development John Halligan T.D., today launched the EXPLORE programme, an innovative new initiative aimed at increasing participation rates in Lifelong Learning and offering an opportunity to upskill for those already in employment.  The key objective of the initiative is to create a potential new solution to…

DBEI Focused Policy Assessment Finds Strong Growth of High Potential Start-Ups Between 2006 and 2016

The Department of Business, Enterprise & Innovation has completed a Focused Policy Assessment of its capital expenditure on Start-up and Equity supports, tracing expenditure from its objectives to inputs, outputs, outcomes and impacts from 2006 to 2016. The report finds that High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) maintained continuous growth throughout the period. Companies classed as HPSUs…

Brexit: European Commission publishes Communication on preparing for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU

The European Commission has adopted a Communication outlining the ongoing work on the preparation for all outcomes of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. On 30 March 2019, the United Kingdom will leave the EU and become a third country. This will have repercussions for citizens, businesses and administrations in both the United…

Ministers Humphreys and Breen announce publication of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2018

Dublin, Ireland, 20 July Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Pat Breen TD, Minister with responsibility for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection today announced the publication of the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2018. This follows Government approval for publication of the Bill at Cabinet last week….

Minister Humphreys launches public consultation on gift voucher fees

Dublin, Ireland, July 19th — The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D., today launched a public consultation on gift voucher fees. This follows her announcement on June 12th that the Government had approved the General Scheme of the Unfair Contract Terms (Gift Vouchers) Bill 2018, which proposes a minimum lifespan of five…

European Commission releases online test tool and questionnaire for Exporters

Commission Rules of Origin Questionnaire and Test Tool   The European Commission has released an online test tool and questionnaire, aimed at exporters, that has been designed to give information to operators and to help address their needs in relation to Rules of Origin.   The below link gives exporters access to the anonymous questionnaire…