Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2018
28. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the measures being taken, including under budget 2019, to promote and foster indigenous trade and productivity, especially to prepare for Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42551/18]
View answerBrexit is undoubtedly the most significant challenge facing Irish enterprise in over 50 years. With less than 6 months to go, I was determined to deliver a budget with Brexit at its core, building on the many measures we have already introduced, and responding to the evolving needs of business.
The agencies under my remit have an extensive range of supports available to enable companies to both consolidate market share and continue to pursue new opportunities to grow their market presence within the UK. For 2019, I am allocating an extra €8m to the enterprise agencies and regulatory bodies under my Department, who work with firms at the coalface to develop their supports for business.
I also announced a longer term loan facility, the Future Growth Scheme, of up to €300m to support capital investment by business, which is a collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Department of Finance, the European Investment Bank Group and SBCI.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) supports include:
- A new Online customs Training Programme to be launched shortly to demystify customs procedures. This will be available to all exporters and importers.
- Brexit Advisory Clinics: The purpose of these clinics is to encourage companies to examine their potential exposure to Brexit, to complete the Brexit SME Scorecard and use the Be Prepared Grant to plan their strategic response to Brexit.
- Brexit Scorecard: An interactive online platform to self-assess exposure to Brexit under six business pillars.
- Be Prepared Grant: This grant offers SME clients a grant of up to €5,000 to assist businesses in preparing an action plan for economic shocks such as Brexit.
- The Agile Innovation Fund: giving companies rapid fast-track access to innovation funding, and up to 50% in support for product, process or service development projects with a total cost of up to €300,000.
- Market Discovery Fund - supports Enterprise Ireland clients research new markets for products and services.
- “Prepare to Export Scorecard”: The Scorecard helps Irish companies with global ambition to self-assess how prepared they are to start exporting.
In Budget 2019, I have allocated €1.25m for a Retail Online Scheme which will be launched by Enterprise Ireland shortly. The main objective of the Pilot scheme will be to support SMEs in the retail sector with a pre-existing online presence to develop and implement a more sophisticated and strategic online trading offer with a view to increasing online business and customers both domestically and internationally.
I have also earmarked an additional €1.8m for the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland over the next 3 years to help businesses to respond to digital and new market opportunities.
The 31 Local Enterprise Offices play a pivotal role in supporting micro-enterprises, as they prepare for Brexit. I have allocated an additional €5m to enhance their programme of supports in 2019, up 22% on 2018.
I have also allocated an additional €1m in capital funding to InterTrade Ireland, an increase of 17.5%. This will allow them to step up their support for companies in the border region, North and South, who are particularly exposed to Brexit.
The Government’s commitment to supporting the business community prepare for Brexit can also be seen in the series of four “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” seminars, which are being held this month around the country. My Department and agencies are actively participating in this new campaign, Getting Ireland Brexit Ready, and we are seeking to promote the supports available to the broad base of business across the country.
