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Businesses need to be winter-ready - Perry

Mr. John Perry, T.D. Minister for Small Business today (Wednesday) announced the publication of a new guide for businesses, “Business Continuity Planning in Severe Weather - Advice to Businesses on Preparing

for Severe Weather”. The guide was prepared by Forfás in consultation with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Minister Perry said: “This guide is particularly useful for small businesses that are unlikely to have the resources for in-depth business continuity plans. Small businesses today, operate in a challenging business

environment – a severe winter would pose additional difficulties for them. I would urge that they make preparations now to ensure their continued business”.

The Guide:

· provides advice to businesses on how to plan for severe weather

events, and

· includes a practical checklist for businesses to assist with their

business continuity planning.

Minister Perry said: “the Guide forms an important part of the Government’s Winter Ready campaign which was launched today and I want to ensure that my Department and its agencies play a supporting role in raising the awareness of the need to prepare for winter”.

The Office of Emergency Planning has developed a new website

www.winterready.ie and an information booklet "Be Winter-Ready", which provide advice and information on a variety of topics concerning the business sector; transport, the home, clearing snow, water shortages,

public health and safety, flooding advice, road safety, schools, farming and contact Information.

Business Continuity Planning in Severe Weather - Advice to Businesses on Preparing for Severe Weather outlines the key issues a business should examine in order to minimise the business impact of a severe weather event. The guide outlines how a business can mitigate the impact on customers,

staff, suppliers and the place of business.

Business Continuity Planning in Severe Weather - Advice to Businesses on Preparing for Severe Weather is available through a number of websites including www.djei.ie, www.winterready.ie, and www.forfas.ie.