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Brexit Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019

Tuesday, 29 January 2019

Questions (280)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

280. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the uptake of the various schemes by businesses to prepare for Brexit, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4035/19]

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Written answers

My Department and its agencies are working to provide extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These measures aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming weeks.

In addition to the direct supports outlined in the following table, my Department and I have been very active in the, "Getting Ireland Brexit Ready", public information campaign. This campaign includes workshop events throughout the country aimed primarily at business and people most impacted by Brexit. Officials from my Department and agencies also participated in the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events, which included Enterprise Ireland, IDA, the LEOs, NSAI and the HSA.

Further to the table, increased funding has been allocated to Brexit-related support from my Department and its agencies as part of Budget 2019. An additional €5 million capital funding has been allocated to the Local Enterprise Offices, an increase of 22%, and a further €1 million allocated to IntertradeIreland to help SMEs prepare for the particular North-South challenges associated with Brexit. Additional resources have also been distributed across Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority.

The Future Growth Loan Scheme was announced in Budget 2019. This scheme is jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Loans of €50,000 to €3 million, with terms of eight to ten years, will be available, with loans of under €500,000 being provided on an unsecured basis. The scheme will be available to eligible Irish businesses, including those in the primary agriculture and seafood sectors, to support strategic, long-term investment in a post-Brexit environment. The SBCI has issued an, “Open Call”, for financial institutions to apply by 11 February 2019 for designation as a lending partner under the Scheme. It is expected that this Scheme will be operational in early 2019.

While many businesses have taken preparedness actions, a number have yet to do so. It is vital that businesses prepare themselves for Brexit impacts and take actions to mitigate. Firms that do business with the UK, whether buying goods or exporting products, should examine their supply chains to determine their vulnerabilities and take appropriate action.

Scheme

Uptake (18.01)

Brexit Loan Scheme

375 applications received, 336 approved by SBCI, 65 Loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €14.94 million.

Enterprise Ireland Brexit Scorecard - online platform for Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit

3,902 Brexit Scorecards have been completed. 681 LEO clients have completed the scorecard.

Enterprise Ireland Be Prepared Grant

155 Be Prepared Grants have been approved

Enterprise Ireland Market Discovery Fund - A support to EI clients to research new markets

209 projects have been approved under this initiative

Enterprise Ireland Agile Innovation Fund - Gives rapid fast-track access to innovation funding

39 Agile Innovation projects have been approved

Enterprise Ireland Brexit Advisory Clinics

11 Brexit Advisory Clinics have been run with approx. 915 in attendance

Enterprise Ireland Brexit “Act On Programme” – A support funding the engagement of a consultant to devise report with recommendations to help clients address weaknesses and improve resilience

165 “Act on” Plans have been completed

Enterprise Ireland Strategic Consultancy Grant – A grant to assist EI clients to hire a strategic consultant for a set period

1,049 Strategic Consultancy Grants have been approved

Enterprise Ireland Brexit-exposed companies that have completed sustainable growth plans

706

Local Enterprise Office Technical Assistance Grant for Micro Export - an incentive for LEO clients to explore and develop new market opportunities

419 clients were approved assistance under the Technical Assistance Grant

Local Enterprise Office LEAN for Micro - The LEO Lean4Micro offer was developed in collaboration between the EI Lean department and the LEOs to tailor the EI Lean offer for LEO micro enterprise clients

221 LEO clients have participated in the programme

Local Enterprise Office Mentoring

471 mentoring participants solely focused on Brexit

Local Enterprise Office Brexit Seminars/Events

3,996 Participants at the Brexit Information events

InterTradeIreland Brexit Advisory Service

4,175 SMEs have directly engaged with the Brexit Advisory Service in 2018

InterTradeIreland Brexit Start to Plan Vouchers

There have been 811 applications, with 657 approved and 25 still pending assessment.

Pilot Online Retail Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland

Applications are currently being assessed by Enterprise Ireland and the successful applicants will be announced in Q1 2019. There will also be a second call in 2019

Question No. 281 answered with Question No. 279.
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