Brian Stanley
Question:34. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Irish companies in receipt of exporting supports, both soft and financial. [3244/13]
View answerThursday, 24 January 2013
Questions (34)
Written answers
The development agencies are unable to directly support exports under EU State Aid rules.
Enterprise Ireland works with approximately 3,000 clients providing both soft and financial support to assist in enhancing their capability and employment potential. Enterprise Ireland clients have Development Advisors who work with them to identify what supports are most appropriate to assist their individual business strategies. In addition, Enterprise Ireland works with companies looking to export for the first time through its Potential Export Division. In 2012 EI worked with 520 such companies.
Furthermore, in 2012 in direct response to the demands of entrepreneurs and client companies, a number of new initiatives were introduced, including;
- Competitive Start Funds (CSF) for specific groups of very early stage entrepreneurs (investing €50k per start-up) – more than 150 High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) and CSF start-ups supported in 2012;
- Working closely with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, EI initiated engagement with 118 members of the Global Irish Networks in relation to developing an International Mentor Programme. In addition, 16 Ministerial Trade Missions focused on sectors and High Growth economies, the largest of which was to China led by the Taoiseach in March;
- Working closely with the Department of Education and Skills on an ‘Education in Ireland’ Strategy to attract 3rd and 4th level overseas students to Irish Higher Education Institutes; and
- Record numbers of applications from female entrepreneurs for Feasibility and Start-Up funds.
These new supports were in addition to Enterprise Ireland’s continuing financial supports for client companies including Job Expansion packages, significant R&D projects, Lean Funding, Innovation Partnership Programmes, Innovation Vouchers, indirect support through Seed and Venture Capital Funds and Business Angel Networks.
These financial supports are complimented by other supports including Overseas Offices support, short and long-term Management Development Programmes and the Enterprise Ireland mentor network, which provides training and mentoring to a further cohort of companies.
The newly established Micro Finance Fund Ireland and the Credit Loan Guarantee Scheme also make available further supports to a wider cohort of Irish companies.
The County and City Enterprise Boards (CEBs) work with approximately 10,000 clients in the indigenous micro-enterprise sector i.e. businesses which employ 10 or less workers. The CEBs provide a range of financial and soft supports to businesses in start-up and expansion phases. Some of these businesses would be exporting while others would have the potential to export.