Retailers will find negotiating red tape requirements that bit easier in future with the launch of a new licensing portal that provides a one-stop source for licence applications and registration.

The government contract was won by An Post and Escher Group, and will see the creation of a single online portal for the application, renewal and payment of licences.

Retailers will also be able to 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.

It will also be possible to make a single payment for several licences, with the relevant amounts being forwarded to the various licensing authorities involved.

The system will be initially pitched at the 20,000 business owners in the retail sector, which operates 29 core licences across 40 public sector licensing authorities, including over 30 local authorities.

In Association with

Each retailer will be able to apply for a variety of licences on the new portal including those for gaming; street furniture; wine, beers and spirits sales; food business and casual trading.

Jobs minister Richard Bruton said that the online portal was being introduced in response to business demands and should significantly reduce the administrative burden on businesses.

Minister Ged Nash, chair of the ILAS steering group, added: “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 portal is expected to be available for the retail sector by December of this year, before being expanded to include licenses for other sectors.

Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash