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Brexit Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019

Wednesday, 27 February 2019

Questions (93)

Joan Burton

Question:

93. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount of financial state aid support which will be available from her Department in the event of a no-deal hard Brexit; the provision made in the revised Estimates for same; the level of support committed to by the EU Commission; the persons she has met with in relation to state aid for this scenario to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9992/19]

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Written answers

Across Government Departments significant work is ongoing to ensure all necessary supports will be available to enterprise regarding a wide variety of Brexit implications. Provision in the revised estimates for financial support is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.

In relation to state aid, my Department and its agencies have been working closely with the EU Commission and DG Competition since November 2017 through the Irish/EU Technical Working Group on State Aid.  The objective of the Group is to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules.  Much has been achieved by this Working Group.  It has examined and explored a range of opportunities within State Aid rules including the development of the Future Growth Loan Scheme under GBER rules, the expansion of Ireland’s Rescue and Restructuring Scheme to include Temporary liquidity aid and the Group is currently working closely with DG Agri to explore the range of opportunities under the Agriculture and Forestry State aid guidelines.  It has looked at regionally important, exposed clients and their building resilience in their response to Brexit by using environmental and innovation aid.

On 24th January 2019, I met with the European Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager.  The focus of the meeting centered around the severe challenges that Irish businesses will face when the UK leaves the EU and the need for appropriate and timely State supports.  It was agreed that Irish officials will continue to work closely with the Commissioner's team in addressing any State aid issues that may arise to ensure a rapid and appropriate response as the ultimate shape of Brexit and its firm-level implication become known.  The Commissioner emphasised that the Commission stands ready to act urgently in mitigation against the impacts of Brexit on Irish firms.

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