Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2013
53. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will identify the barriers to microenterprise posed by the Border both in financial terms and with regard to internal enterprise administration; if he will identify the steps he has taken to reduce these barriers in the past two years; and the effect this has had on volumes of cross-Border trade. [9042/13]
View answerThe County Enterprise Boards (CEBs) in the border region provide support for micro-enterprises at local level in the start-up and expansion phases, through the provision of both financial and non-financial assistance. Trading across borders is a feature of all open economies and it can present both opportunities and challenges. The European Single Market has made cross-border trading in the EU easier and more certain, for both businesses and consumers. Certain operating costs and/or barriers to trade can be outside the control of Government. For example, fuel and energy prices are primarily driven by external factors such as global fossil fuel prices. In addition, currency exchange rates can give rise to relative price differences that can lead to higher costs for businesses in one jurisdiction compared to the other and this can have a particular impact in border areas.
The Government’s approach has been to identify those areas of policy it can influence to bring about cost reductions as well as providing supports that help micro-enterprises to become more efficient, productive and competitive. The Action Plan for Jobs for 2012 set out a range of measures across Government which can help to reduce costs and support job creation. Such measures included: reforming the statutory wage setting mechanisms; reducing the administrative burden on business; placing downward pressure on insurance costs through the Legal Services Bill; providing supports to businesses to improve their energy and resource efficiency; helping businesses to improve their skills, and encouraging local authorities to exercise restraint in the setting of commercial rates and other local charges.
In addition, my Department and its Agencies are closely involved in supporting enterprise projects under the Interreg initiative, which assists cross-border development and which is co-funded by the EU and by the relevant Northern Ireland Departments. Several of the projects approved in the current round of programmes have been initiated by County Enterprise Boards in the border region, in conjunction with other partner organisations, and these projects have assisted in developing micro-enterprise in the region. I am also pleased to report that officials in both jurisdictions are also engaged in a process which will hopefully see a new Interreg Scheme initiated when the current phase expires in 2014.
Merchandise trade figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that exports to Northern Ireland have increased by a total of 9% to €1,445m in the last two year and dialogue between relevant Ministers and officials, North and South, will continue in order to further promote economic development, job creation and innovation in the border region.
