• REGISTER NOW:  Thursday 8 October in the The Westcourt Hotel, Drogheda between 8.30am to 1.30pm www.takingcareofbusiness.ie
• Get advice from a diverse mix of Government Agencies
• Understand the Key regulations that affect business
• Event will allow small business owners to  learn about financial supports and assistance available

The half-day event is specifically targeted at people thinking of starting a business, as well as small business owners and managers.  Attending the event will allow entrepreneurs to:

·        Better understand the key regulations that affect them so that they can focus on the main task of running their business;
·        Meet experts from a broad range of public bodies in an informal setting;
·        Get advice and find out about supports that are available from across the public sector.

This joint initiative of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the Health and Safety Authority, as part of the Action Plan for Jobs, will bring together over 25 State bodies in one location.

Minister Nash, who will open the event on October 8th, said: "As the Minister with responsibility for SMEs, I would encourage businesses from across the North-East, but particularly start-ups or people thinking of making the leap to start their own business to attend this event.  Government has a wide range of supports available to help SMEs make their business a success and the Taking Care of Business event is a great way for busy people to get all the information they might need from our agencies in one spot.

This will also be a great opportunity for people to ask questions and raise individual concerns face-to-face with staff from across the public sector. The Government is committed to engaging with the small business community and this event will help SMEs to better understand the regulatory environment. I would strongly encourage anyone with a business or thinking of setting up a business to come along to get free information about state supports.

It is essential for SMEs to make the most of the advice and supports available to them so I encourage entrepreneurs and those thinking of starting a business to capitalise on this chance to hear from a wide variety of agencies, in one location."

The State offices and agencies represented will provide information across a wide range of areas, including:

·        Tax, employment and Health & Safety obligations;
·        Legal requirements for setting up and running a business;
·        Requirements in areas such as food and environmental safety;
·        Advice on government procurement and intellectual property;
·        Assistance and supports from enterprise agencies and Local Authorities.

There will be two separate strands running concurrently with presentations from State bodies in one area and information stands manned by staff from these bodies in a separate area. The concise presentations will focus on key regulatory requirements as well as assistance available to help entrepreneurs develop their businesses. Experts will be available at the information stands to speak directly to attendees and answer questions throughout the event.

Geoff Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of Jack Cody's Craft Beer will Chair the first set of presentations. Anne Reilly, Managing Director of Paycheck Plus and Margaret Reilly, Managing Director of CTR Manufacturing will chair the remaining two sessions.

To register for the event and for more details including the running order of presentations and the full list of State Bodies attending, please visit www.takingcareofbusiness.ie 

Early booking is strongly advised as there are a limited number of places available.

The State office and agencies represented at the event will be:

·        Louth Local Enterprise Office
·        Startup Ireland (The Mill)
·        Revenue Commissioners
·        Enterprise Ireland
·        Companies Registration Office
·        Environmental Protection Agency
·        Food Safety Authority of Ireland
·        Health and Safety Authority
·        Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement
·        Workplace Relations (NERA)
·        Office of Government Procurement
·        Department of Social Protection /Intreo
·        Data Protection Commissioner
·        The Credit Review Office
·        National Standards Authority of Ireland
·        Microfinance Ireland
·        Enterprise Europe Network
·        Solvit (informal problem-solving network for EU citizens and businesses)
·        Patents Office
·        IntertradeIreland
·        Supporting SME's Online Business Tool
·        Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland
·        Government Skills Programme: Momentum/Skillnets

The event is supported by Drogheda and District Chamber of Commerce, SFA,  ISME, RGData, ACCA, Hardware Association of Ireland and the Construction Federation of Ireland.