Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 April 2014
122. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if Enterprise Ireland is taking a sectoral approach to the airline industry and adequately taking into account the entire value to the economy of the sector when determining support and assistance in its operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17305/14]
View answerEnterprise Ireland has, over the last number of years, taken a sectoral approach to the Airline industry. The Irish Aviation/Airline Industry accounts for approximately 3% of GDP with a direct gross value add of €5bn to the Irish Economy and employment of circa 18,000 people. In this regard, the Aviation/Airline sector is one of our most successful internationally trading sectors.
Against this background, Enterprise Ireland supports some 150 indigenous aviation companies with financial, technical, international sales and marketing supports. Key industry sectors include – air services, aircraft leasing, aircraft repair, aviation products and services, and manufacturing to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), for example, Boeing, Airbus and Bombardier.
In excess of 40% of the global fleet is leased or managed out of Ireland by a cluster of 30 lessors indirectly employing 2,000 staff. Enterprise Ireland works closely with an industry-led group to maintain competitiveness by looking at new innovation services in the areas of aircraft transitioning and the raising of aviation debt-financing in Ireland.
Ireland has a long tradition in aircraft maintenance and training that is recognised worldwide. Today, the aerospace industry in Ireland consists of some 250 Irish and foreign-owned companies. These companies provide line and base maintenance on a wide range of commercial airliners as well as overhaul of a range of engine types. These operations are supported by a number of specialist engineering service providers and component sub-supply companies. The effect of the whole is to provide a comprehensive support and maintenance service to a large number of international airline customers.
Ireland has a cluster of indigenous technology companies that develop products, systems and solutions for the aviation market. From avionics to in-flight entertainment systems, Ireland is home to a collection of successful, specialist companies providing solutions to the world’s airlines. Most Enterprise Ireland clients have focused on Tier 1 and Tier 2 sub supply or to be part of the development cycle of an aircraft.
The Deputy may be aware that, last Thursday, I launched a special €500,000 Enterprise Ireland Competitive Start Fund, targeted at stimulating new start-up business activity in both the Aviation and Manufacturing sectors. This Fund, which provides for up to €50,000 in equity support for each successful applicant, is now open for applications. The call closes on Wednesday 30 April 2014.The Fund will help start up and early stage companies to get off the ground and launch new products and services in the international marketplace. The priority of the Fund is to provide young companies in these sectors with the critical early stage funding for the key commercial and technical milestones that will ensure delivery of their product or service, and help them get their project to a key funding milestone.
