Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
70. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his plans to support the food processing industry post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35056/20]
View answerI am fully aware of the significant exposure of our exporting Food & Drinks sector in general. Enterprise Ireland is working intensively with companies in this sector to enable them respond to the challenges they may face come 1st January 2021. Since 2016, the effectiveness of these measures by Enterprise Ireland and in cooperation with Bord Bia, has reduced UK exports from 35% to 31% all the while increasing the overall value of exports.
Brexit specific assistance will continue to be utilised alongside a focus on innovation and competitiveness through the Enterprise Ireland Agile Innovation Fund, R and D Fund, Lean Transform Fund and Operational Excellence Supports to help enterprises to diversify their product offering and to reach new markets.
Budget 2021 includes an allocation of €100 million to my Department to help businesses to adapt to Brexit and includes a €7 million targeted fund to help the food processing industry to adapt to the post-Brexit trading environment.
In addition, Ireland has secured approval for a €200m multi-annual scheme from the EU Commission for capital investment in the processing of agricultural products. The objective of this scheme is to strengthen and improve the resilience of primary food processing companies by focusing on long term transformative capital investment and achieving higher value added through implementing new product and/or market diversification strategies.
