Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 November 2016
12. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to provide additional funding to InterTrade Ireland to deal with the fall out from Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32941/16]
View answerI thank the Minister. I mentioned this earlier when-----
This is Question No. 12.
I mentioned this earlier when we were talking about Brexit. How will InterTrade Ireland deal with the fallout from Brexit? Does the Minister have any plans to give InterTrade Ireland additional funding?
Funding of InterTrade Ireland is provided on a 2:1 basis by my Department and its counterpart in Northern Ireland, the Department for the Economy. Discussions between both Departments to determine a budget for the body for 2017 have not yet been concluded. I am very much aware of the difficulties that Brexit may pose for the companies that InterTrade Ireland assists, particularly SMEs. That is why I am keen to ensure it will have sufficient funding in 2017 to manage its operations, including assisting client companies to plan and prepare for the implications arising from the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
I am hopeful we will be able to increase budgetary support for InterTrade Ireland through my Department's Vote allocation for 2017. I cannot be specific about the amount of potential additional funding at this stage. The 2017 allocation to InterTrade Ireland from my Department will be finalised through the 2017 Revised Estimates Volume process in conjunction with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This is expected to be concluded by the end of this month.
I emphasise that I fully appreciate the important role that InterTrade Ireland will play in helping businesses deal with Brexit. Supporting its work will remain a priority of mine in the time ahead.
I welcome the Minister's comments that she recognises how important InterTrade Ireland is and that she will support it. I request that she specifically asks for additional funding for InterTrade Ireland before the Revised Estimates are finalised at the end of the month. It is a very important group. Enterprise Ireland and the IDA got additional funding in the budget but InterTrade Ireland did not so I request we make sure it gets additional resources.
Protecting cross-Border trade from the potential impacts of Brexit is important. It is really hard to predict at this stage. I am hopeful I will have more money and that is what we are pushing for in the budget. It is clear that the cross-Border market on the island is particularly important for SMEs. It has a really important role to play in this area. We recognise it on this side of the Border and we will be funding it. We will know that at the end of the month.
I thank the Minister. I welcome her comments which are very positive. I hope she will secure extra funding for InterTradeIreland.
