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National Digital Strategy Implementation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2013

Tuesday, 17 December 2013

Questions (346)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

346. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of businesses with an online presence; his plans to help businesses set up online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53758/13]

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Written answers

As part of the Government's National Digital Strategy (NDS) which was published in July, my Department engaged Indecon to establish the precise contribution that digital is making to the Irish economy. That research showed that Irish consumers spent almost €4bn online in 2012. However, 70% of this online business is going out of Ireland. The research also showed that the amount of online purchasing continues to increase.

One of the main focuses in the NDS is to significantly increase the level of digital adoption by small and micro businesses in Ireland. According to the most recent CSO statistics available, 93% of businesses have access to the internet, 70% have a website but only 1 in 4 are trading online.

In response to this challenge, I am introducing a trading online voucher scheme targeted specifically at the small and micro enterprise sector. This scheme will see Irish businesses apply, through a competitive process, to receive up to €2,500 to support them in developing an online trading presence. Trading online will enable small Irish companies to access wider markets, to survive, grow and create jobs. The vouchers are designed to help small Irish business to take advantage of the enormous opportunity the internet can bring.

The trading online voucher scheme is being piloted in Dublin and 25 companies are currently being supported by the scheme. A second pilot scheme will be introduced after Christmas followed by a full national rollout of this scheme during 2014. I secured additional funding to enable national rollout in 2014, with a target of getting 2,000 businesses trading online over a two year period.

More information on this initiative can be found on the NDS web page at www.dcenr.gov.ie/nds.

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