The Government Websites of interest to SMEs
In this section of the chapter we will look at a number of different state agencies of relevance to the SME that may be considering implementing the 3 stage model. Each site is dealt with by reference to the service that is most applicable to service SMEs. Where possible an illustrative example is provided to show the benefits that may be garnered by dealing with these agencies.
The Irish Government site, www.gov.ie, provides a good starting point for accessing information about state companies. It is the first place an SME should start when sourcing electronic information made available by the government. This government portal is a good place to start looking for Irish government information.
(I) Business Access to State Information Service (www.Basis.ie)
This project was set up as part of the government initiative to enable start up and existing business to electronically access state information and services. These are provided without the previous inconvenience of having to travel to the various department offices or engage in traditional correspondence with each agency. This saves time in many ways. The links provided include some to the other popular government sites whose information is described below.
(II) Enterprise Ireland. (http://www.enterprise-ireland.com)
For any company entering into e-business, a good first port of call is the Enterprise Ireland site. The amount of free information made available to the SME is extensive: from the implementation of E-Business through to Case Studies based on successful E-Business implementations. This is done with the aid of E-newsletters, E-Business headlines, links and advice on how to set up a business. SMEs can gain very useful information from this site and use it in conjunction with the three-stage model.
‘It’s information technology and it transfers, stores, and analyses data. The net effect of this development is to reduce human involvement in routine tasks, producing useful information that supports those making decisions.’ (Enterprise Ireland, 2001)
Trintech Technologies (www.trintech.com) is a good example of a company that provides secure payment systems that has benefited from Enterprise Ireland.
(III) Attorney General’s Website (www.irlgov.ie/AG)
Law firms are by nature and design entirely based upon the collection and dissemination of information. This information may vary slightly in the cases they are involved in due to specialisation, but detailed information must be available when it is required. In the past, firms requiring knowledge of the Acts and Statutory Instruments of relevance to them would have had to purchase these from the Government Publications Office. This website has every Act and Statutory Instrument that the legislature had enacted up to and including 1998. It should be of interest to any company that needs to consult legal information pertaining to their areas of expertise, or pertaining to more general matters, e.g. company law or employment law.
(IV) Foras Áiseanna Saothair (www.fas.ie)
This site is the main agency for employment and job creation schemes throughout Ireland. Employers can sign up to the agency on line. Potential employees access the site and contact the employer directly and time is saved in the recruitment process. Schemes are available from this site to encourage the employment and training of young school leavers and unemployed people. The site provides the employer with a number of services such as:
- Training support scheme
- Employment support for disabled persons
- Small Firms Cluster Programme
- Co-Operative Development Programme
- Training Courses
(V) Revenue Commissioners (www.revcomm.ie)
‘On February 4, 2000 a contract was digitally signed between Revenue and Accenture to deliver the Revenue On-Line Service (ROS). ROS will provide for electronic filing of tax returns and declarations via the Internet.’ (Revenue Commissioners, 2002)
This site offers a great service for the SME such as starting in business tax information; self-assessment; VAT and Tax incentives for investors. The site provides information applicable to the small enterprise. These areas include employment PRSI and VAT, Business expansion tax information, and all other areas of tax including returns that the employer can now do electronically. In addition, the Revenue Online Service system is a digitally certified secure transaction process (see Chapter 6).
(VI) IBEC - Irish Business Enterprise Confederation (www.IBEC.com)
The services offered by this website could be invaluable to the SME organisation. There is extensive information available on the subject of Industrial Relations and this may be invaluable where such information is required. Other services include consultancy relating to Business Law. The website works on a membership basis; once a logon has been performed, the site becomes customised for the visitor. IBEC has associate member organisations in other countries and this will be of huge benefit to service providers whose intention is to begin operating in other markets.
(VII) E-Tenders - The Public Sector Procurement Portal (http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie)
In order to streamline the tendering process and also allow for wider availability of tenders, the government has set up an electronic tendering portal which will allow certain SMEs to find tenders that suit their area of expertise within the markets they provide services to. There are facilities provided to allow for rapid search of the site and perusal of the tenders of interest to the viewer through the website. This site should be checked on a regular basis, as new tenders are added frequently.
(VIII) Land Registry (http://www.landregistry.ie/)
The Land Registry in response to the Government of Ireland’s ‘Information Society’ and ‘Electronic Government’ initiatives, and its ‘Strategic Management Initiative’ and ‘Delivering Better Government’ programme provides the electronic Access Service (EAS). For information on these initiatives see various publications available at
http://www.irlgov.ie/taoiseach/publication/default.htm
Authorised users of the EAS can: -
- Conduct on-line searches of the electronically available register.
- View and print computerised folios in their office.
- Discover the ‘Dealings Pending’ on a particular folio.
- Track the progress of applications.
- Apply for certified copies of available Folios, Folios with Copy Maps and Copy Maps showing Special Features (Appurtenant rights, Rights of Way, etc).
- Electronic storage and retrieval of folios
- Tracking and processing of cases and applications submitted by customers solicitors, banks, developers.
- Generation and electronic transmission of case-related correspondence.
- Provision of key statistics.
(Land Registry, 2001)
The Land Registry Electronic Access Service has been implemented with a series of security controls to disallow casual usage. A unique username and password is allocated to account holders, which verifies account details and checks access rights when each session is established. Data is in an encrypted format during transmission.
Customers are responsible for deciding who uses the service at their location, and will be charged for all services availed of through their account.
(IX) Companies Registration Office. (www.cro.ie)
The Companies Registration Office now allow company details to be added or changed for firms that wish to avail of its online registration services. The functions of the registration are still the same. In addition, Company Retailing reports may be downloaded from the site, which will allow for an overview of yearly registrations of company names and trade names that have been taken up.
(X) The Small Firms Association (www.SFA.ie)
This website is another detailed site which is worth signing up to in order to keep current. Regular events and consultations are available from the association and as such the site visitor is kept entirely up to date and aware of developments regarding funding and innovation in technological areas. In addition, reduced rates are made available for the services offered through the website. The SFA regularly holds lectures and conventions and details are regularly communicated to members. Where possible any SME that requires the help of mentors in their particular field will be offered the chance to avail of these at a reduced cost. Other similar international associations are linked on the website.
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