Following a review of the multiplicity of licences required by the business sector, the Government committed that all relevant licensing authorities would proceed towards the development of an integrated licensing application system - a one-stop application portal, amalgamating licence applications for business across government departments, agencies and licensing authorities, thereby significantly reducing the administrative burden.

Minister Bruton welcomed today’s announcement: “This announcement is a major step towards creating a one-stop licensing application portal which should significantly reduce the administrative burden on business. I am very conscious of the time businesses spend on the various licences applications required by Government and agencies and this initiative is in response to business demands.   By streamlining this system it goes some way towards our goal of making Ireland the best small country in the world in which to do business.”

Minister Nash, Chair of the ILAS Steering Group, said: “This has the potential to be a significant step in reducing the administrative burden for business particularly for small businesses and start-ups. As the Minister with responsibility for SMEs, the feedback I often get from entrepreneurs is that while we have made significant strides in reforming and reducing bureaucracy for business, there is still too much red tape.

The new system will save time for businesses and make it easier to apply for and renew licenses.”

 The system will be delivered, in the first instance for the retail sector which includes 29 core licences across 40 public sector licensing authorities, including over 30 local authorities. Each retailer will be able to apply for a variety of licences on the new portal including Gaming Licences, Street furniture licences, Wine Retailers, Beers and Spirits, WEEE Licence, Food Business Operator, Casual Traders.

 This is a key deliverable under the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs.

An Post and Escher in conjunction with the licensing authorities are currently putting the system in place to allow all licences to be available on the portal for the retail sector by December this year.

It is envisaged that this System will then be expanded to include other licences of key sectors of the economy and involve other licensing authorities as the Integrated Licensing Application System is rolled out.

The key features of the system will be      

1. A single online portal for the application, renewal and payment of licences.
2. A consolidated application mechanism, whereby customers can apply for several licences in a single session, with data that is common to different licences being entered only once and/or drawn from previously supplied data.
3. A consolidated payment mechanism that allows the customer to make a single payment for several licences and which will forward the relevant amounts to the various licensing authorities involved.

An Post is now collaborating with licensing authorities to capture their requirements and to ensure that the Service meets the needs of both Licensing Authorities and applicants for licences.