Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Test from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport - Extension of the NDRC Contract – Completed 29 May 2025

Following the government decision of 14 May 2024 (S180/20/10/2534A), any major new measure from government will be assessed for its impact on small business through an enhanced SME Test.

What an SME Test is

The SME Test is a tool that has been designed to assist policymakers consider the SME perspective when making any new policies, legislation (primary or secondary), or regulatory compliance requirements.

The objective of the SME Test is to ensure the ease of use, understanding and application of regulatory requirements for SMEs. The Test is designed to promote best practice in managing the regulatory burden on the SME sector.

The SME Test helps to identify disproportionate impacts on SMEs and encourages policymakers to propose alternative policy options or mitigating measures to minimise impacts and to ensure that the regulatory environment allows SMEs to operate, grow and scale-up.

SME Test – Extension of the NDRC Contract until the end of December 2026

On 16 June 2025, the Cabinet approved the extension by the Minster for Culture, Communications and Sport of the contract for the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) for an additional 13 months up to the end of December 2026. This SME Test was conducted beforehand with the purpose of identifying any impacts of extending the contract and to provide for mitigating measures. This SME test was noted under the Impacts section of the Memorandum for Government that preceded the 16 June 2025 cabinet decision.

https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/press-releases/ministers-announce-extension-for-the-national-digital-research-centre-ndrc/

Link to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment SME Tests page

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment officials have developed the new enhanced SME Test.

You can find their SME Test page here.