Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2017
22. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the additional supports put in place to date to assist businesses that are heavily or totally dependent on Northern Ireland or the British market for an export market in view of the uncertainty that has arisen due to Brexit and currency fluctuations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14444/17]
View answerIn Budget 2017, I secured additional monies, both current and capital, to support Enterprise Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit, including 39 targeted posts, both at home and abroad to support its clients across all markets.
There are 1,500 Enterprise Ireland (EI) client companies recording exports to the UK. They employ 100,000 people across the country and have exports of over €7 billion. Enterprise Ireland is particularly working with companies in the UK market who are most exposed in areas such as engineering, food, construction and timber to maintain their market share.
Over €1bn of EI exports go to Northern Ireland and I am very conscious of the challenges that may be faced by companies operating in close proximity to the border.
EI will continue to provide various targeted supports and programmes to assist client companies. These include management capability, leadership, marketing/sales, innovation and R&D. EI will also deliver a suite of supports that help clients reduce supply-chain costs and drive efficiencies and cost reductions as a means of improving operating margins, thereby increasing competitiveness.
InterTrade Ireland (ITI) will have an important role to play in protecting cross border trade following Brexit. We will continue to support the work of ITI as it takes steps to help clients deal with the uncertain business climate ahead.
