Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2018
13. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the contingencies and supports in place to safeguard SMEs and export businesses in Dublin from a hard Brexit scenario; the supports in place to protect them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22882/18]
View answer16. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports in place to safeguard export businesses and Irish small and medium enterprises from a hard Brexit scenario; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22850/18]
View answer24. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the contingencies and supports in place to safeguard Irish SMEs and export businesses from a hard Brexit scenario; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22861/18]
View answer36. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the contingencies and supports in place to protect Irish companies and exporters from a hard Brexit scenario; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22876/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 16, 24 and 36 together.
Brexit presents the most significant economic challenge of the past 50 years for businesses in all parts of the country, including Dublin, and my Department and its agencies are working hard to ensure that potentially impacted firms are taking the necessary steps to prepare and mitigate risks and to take advantage of potential opportunities.
Specifically, my Department provided for additional funding and supports in 2017 and 2018 to enable Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to ramp up supports to firms in light of Brexit to sustain employment and to grow and diversify export markets. My Department has also provided additional funding to IDA Ireland to support exporting businesses that may be impacted by Brexit and to compete for new investment opportunities that may arise on foot of Brexit.
EI has launched several initiatives in response to Brexit, including:
- Brexit Scorecard: This interactive online platform can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six business pillars.
- Be Prepared Grant: This grant offers SMEs up to €5,000 to assist them in preparing an appropriate Brexit action plan.
- Brexit Advisory Clinics: Recently held in Laois, Mayo, Cavan and Cork. The next Clinic will be in Dublin's Aviva Stadium on 21 June.
- Brexit 'Act On' Programme: This funding is to support the engagement of a consultant to draw up a report with tailored recommendations to help clients address weaknesses and become more resilient.
In addition, EI is implementing extensive trade mission and event schedules focused on global and sectoral opportunities, further developing in-market expertise and networks, placing greater focus on identifying new sectoral opportunities and stimulating demand for Irish products and services through international marketing campaigns. In 2017, EI launched a new Eurozone Strategy to increase exports to Eurozone countries by 50% by 2020.
The LEOs are supporting their clients by providing information, training and mentoring on Brexit related issues as well as advice on other sources of support.
InterTrade Ireland (ITI), has also been very active in assisting businesses address the challenges that Brexit may present for future cross-border commerce. A series of information and awareness raising events have been underway in towns across both North and South over recent months. ITI is also rolling out a ‘Start to Plan’ readiness voucher scheme, which enables companies to purchase specialist advice in areas such as customs, tax, tariff and non-tariff barriers, legal and labour mobility issues.
Other initiatives that my Department are advancing include the €300 million Brexit Working Capital Loan Scheme, under which accessible finance is made available to businesses at favourable terms.
The work of my Department is focused on supporting businesses throughout the country to withstand current challenges and succeed into the future. All our efforts are aimed at supporting businesses to diversify and compete and to ensure that Ireland will be in a strong position in case of a hard Brexit scenario.
