Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2017
70. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the way in which she will support SMEs to prepare for the impact of Brexit; if recent statistics show that those impacts are now under way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22953/17]
View answerMy Department and its agencies are fully engaged in preparing for Brexit. Enterprise Ireland’s (EI) #PrepareforBrexit communications campaign featuring the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ was launched in March. The Scorecard is an interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit.
A recent survey of SMEs commissioned by my Department on Brexit impacts, and published on my Department’s website, indicated that 49% of companies had experienced no impact on their business from Brexit, and a further 15% had experienced minimal impact. However, when asked to look forward over the next 18 months the percentage expecting no Brexit impact drops to 26%, with 17% expecting a significant impact.
EI has introduced a ‘Be Prepared Grant’ which offers up to €5,000 for exporting client companies to conduct further research and use external expertise to develop a Brexit Action Plan.
The Local Enterprise Office and Inter Trade Ireland are offering a range of Brexit focused supports to companies, including those engaged in cross-border trade with Northern Ireland.
Based on significant analysis and stakeholder consultation my Department is currently working on further measures targeted at identified needs of companies around working capital and business development.
