Catalogue description Records of the Small Firms Division

The Division was set up in 1974 initially to manage the small firms centres. Its remit was extended to include government policy towards small firms. The Division was transferred to the Department of Employment in 1985.

The Division acted as a focal point where the needs of small firms could be seen as a whole, their interests could be taken into account in the formulation of Government policies and their place in the national economy could be kept under review. The main objective was to stimulate the growth of small firms through deregulation and tax incentives and assistance schemes which were targeted specifically at the small firms sector. It devloped and managed the small firms service which consisted of small firms centres offering advice and attached to the regional offices.