Businesses filing with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) this month smashed through the one millionth e-form barrier, Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton said today. He revealed 58pc of documents filed with the CRO are now done online.
He said this form of filing saved businesses €3.9m in administrative costs in 2010.
Just eight years ago, more than 350,000 multi-paged documents would have arrived annually in paper format and by post at the CRO.
Bruton highlighted the Government’s ever-increasing drive towards better e-government service provision and re-iterated that electronic filing is a win-win for both companies and the CRO, resulting in time and money savings.
“Government does not create jobs, expanding businesses do, but Government has a crucial role to play in creating the conditions where those businesses can grow,” the minister said.
“As I have said repeatedly, to do this we have to focus on three things: improving access to finance, reducing costs to business and encouraging innovation in every way possible.
Potential to save a further €2m for businesses
“A determined drive to improve the provision of government services online plays a crucial role in this, through reducing costs to businesses and the taxpayer and in government leading by example through innovation. Today’s news that the one millionth online document has been filed at the CRO shows what is possible – but we must do more.
“In 2010, companies saved €3.9m on filing fees alone; however, a further €2m could have been saved if all companies had availed of the online filing facility. Clearly, it makes sense that companies and those presenting on their behalf make use of the electronic forms available from CRO and the new PDF accounts and electronic signing system introduced last year for company annual returns. This system poses an ideal opportunity to save on printing, postage and filing costs.
“This Government is committed to doing everything in its power to help Irish business regain its edge and a key focus of this is reducing unnecessary red tape and administrative costs for business.
“The cost-saving online options offered by the Companies Registration Office is just one example of how businesses can reduce costs and I would urge all company directors to avail of this facility,” Bruton said.
