Warning about directory scams:

If you receive a form which seems to invite free representation in The European City Guide, (ECG) based in Spain(or other similar directories based in other European countries) DO NOT SIGN ANDRETURN IT without first reading all the small print. Close inspection of the small print reveals that it is in fact a contract, and numerous people have signed and returned it unaware of the financial implications.

LorraineMcDonnell - Manager Enterprise EuropeNetwork hosted by Sligo Chamber of Commerce is urging businesses to be vigilant about a scam operating under the guise of The European City Guide.  The scam offers businesses the opportunity to have their details included in a global directory.  However, the small print reveals that signing the registration form ties the business to a three year contract at a cost of €995 annually.

The advice to all is of course (a) not to sign up in the first place and (b) in the event that you have unwittingly signed up, please just ignore their payment demands, solicitor\\\\\\\\'s letters, debt collectors calls and eventually (after some considerable time and harassment) they will just go away as they know they have no legal standing.  

Please contact Sligo Chamber (T: 071 9161274) to request a sample of this registration form to be aware of its appearance.

National Pensions Framework

The new National Pensions Framework for Ireland was unveiled on 3 March,2010. It includes rises in retirement age and an \\\\\\\\"auto enrolment\\\\\\\\" pension scheme for many workers. The state contributory pension will remain, but the current averaging system will be replaced by a \\\\\\\\"total contributions\\\\\\\\" approach, i.e. the amount of pension will be propotional to the number of years contributed.

The pension age will be increased to 66 in 2014, 67 in 2021 and eventually to 68 in 2028.

All employees will be automatically enrolled into a new pension scheme unless they are a member of their employer\\\\\\\\'s pension scheme, which provides higher contribution levels or is a Defined Benefit scheme. Employees would contribute 4%, with the Government and the employer providing matching contributions of 2% each.

The State contribution will be equal to tax relief of 33% (down from the current maximum tax relief of 41%).

Workers may opt out of the supplementary scheme, but it remains mandatory for employers. However, employees will automatically be re-enrolled every two years. There will be a once-off bonus payment for people remaining in the scheme for more than five years continuously.

Public Service Pensions: a single new pension scheme will be introduced for all new entrants to the public service, before the end of 2010.

For more information and to view the complete framework, please click here.

EU Service Directive

 With the Service Directive coming into force, member countries are now required to remove unjustified and disproportionate burdens and simplify procedures and formalities that service providers need to comply with. The Directive aims to facilitate the establishment of a business, i.e. cases in which a permanent establishment is set up in a Member State, and the cross-border provision of services, i.e. cases in which a business wants to supply services across borders in another Member State without setting up an establishment there.

In order to support businesses to establish a business or provide service across the border, Member States are obliged to set up \\\\\\\\"points of single contact\\\\\\\\": One stop shops that provide relevant information and deal with the administrative formalities. These points of contact have to be accessible at a distance and by electronic means. For a list of the points of single contacts for all Member States click here.

The Service Directive covers a wide range of services including distributive trades, most regulated professions(legal/tax advisers, architects, engineers, accountants etc), construction and crafts, business-related services, tourism, leisure, installation and maintenance of equipment, information society services, accommodation and food, training and education, rentals and leasing, real estate, and household support.

Explicitly excluded are financial services, electronic communication networks, transport, healthcare, temporary works agencies\\\\\\\\' services, private security, audiovisual, gambling, certain social services provided by the State or State-recognized charities and services provided by notaries and bailiffs.

The simplification measures foreseen by the Directive should significantly facilitate life and increase transparency for SMEs and consumers when they want to provide or use services in the single market.

For more information click here.