Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 4

Written Answers. - Exporters to UK Market.

Seamus Kirk

Question:

27 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the number of Irish companies that export more than 50 per cent of their production to the United Kingdom; and the supports, if any, that An Bord Tráchtála is making available to these companies. [13327/96]

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. E. Kenny)

An Bord Tráchtála indicates that in 1995 135 of the approximately 1,100 indigenous companies on their data base sold more than 50 per cent of their export turnover in the UK market.

Earlier this year, ABT launched a special UK Task Force which aims to help companies identify new sectors of business opportunity with greater profit margins, initially focused on companies with a turnover of greater than £1 million and with a UK dependency of greater or equal to 25 per cent. In the second phase, companies with a turnover of less than £1 million and exporting to the UK are being systematically examined by ABT.

In addition to the special assistance provided by the task force, exporters to the UK market also continue to be eligible for the full range of other financial and advisory supports provided by ABT.