Dara Calleary
Question:281. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contingences and supports in place to safeguard exposed Údarás na Gaeltachta companies from a no-deal Brexit. [7628/19]
View answerThursday, 14 February 2019
Questions (281)
Written answers
I have been advised by Údarás na Gaeltachta that a number of initiatives/measures have been put in train in order to safeguard their exposed client companies from a no deal Brexit. These include:
- Meeting, on a regular basis, with client companies that will be most affected to discuss their business concerns and support analysis of their markets and strategic developments.
- Holding seminars for its client companies on the importance of preparing for Brexit and, in addition, participating in seminars and awareness sessions held by colleague organisations such as Enterprise Ireland.
- The introduction of the Bí Réidh scheme which is similar to the Be Prepared scheme being operated by Enterprise Ireland. This scheme provides support to companies to assess the potential impact of Brexit and to undertake market research to counteract its potential negative impact.
- In recognition of, and in preparation for Brexit, Údarás na Gaeltachta agreed a reciprocal Trade Office arrangement with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce at the end of 2018. This agreement will be signed early this year when dedicated reciprocal trade offices are established which will provide business support services to companies and facilitate investment and trade opportunities. The arrangement will act as a valuable resource for SMEs looking to expand their international business to business partnerships.
- In line with the recommendations of the Department of Enterprise, Business and Innovation, Údarás na Gaeltachta has carried out a new sensitivity analysis of its client companies' exposure to Brexit and is re-engaging with companies who score highly on this analysis and, in particular, with companies whose primary market is the UK. Údarás na Gaeltachta executives continue to engage with those companies considered to be at risk, in order to support them in their current strategic reviews as well as to offer support in the preparation and submission of applications for assistance in respect of innovation, efficiencies, market discovery and upskilling of employees.
- In addition, Údarás client companies continue to be updated on the other state support available by way of the Brexit Loan Scheme being provided by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland.
I should also point out that Údarás na Gaeltachta's Revised Estimates capital allocation has been increased by this Government from €7m in 2018 to €9.7m in 2019. When the €2.8m in funding allocated recently to An tÚdarás under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, as well as the €2m in funding for Páirc na Mara in Cill Chiaráin allocated to An tÚdarás under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, is included, it results in significantly increased capital funding of €14.5m being available to the organisation in 2019.