Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
303. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the core priorities of his Department with regard to the ongoing challenges presented by Brexit for County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36700/20]
View answer309. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that adequate measures have been taken in respect of public expenditure and reform to withstand the looming impact of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37069/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 303 and 309 together.
As both Deputies will be aware, the end of the Brexit transition period in just over six weeks will have significant implications for businesses and individuals right across Ireland, including in their own areas.
For that reason, the Government has been ramping up its preparations for Brexit in recent months following publication of an updated Brexit Readiness Action Plan in September. This sets out the measures that the Government is putting in place and the steps that businesses and individuals need to take to be ready for Brexit.
Budget 2021 provides around €340 million for Brexit measures, through the continuation of existing measures as well as a number of new supports. This is on top of more than €700 million of measures in successive Budgets since 2017.
In particular, the Budget provides further funding for a range of sectoral supports and additional resources for regulatory agencies, as well as a number of enhancements to existing tax-based measures in support of sectors and enterprises most affected by Brexit.
A whole of Government approach is being adopted to addressing the challenges posed by Brexit, and my Department is playing its full part in responding to those challenges through a dedicated Unit dealing with EU and Brexit issues that leads on Brexit work across the Department and its agencies and contributes to the wider Government response.
With attention now on the future relationship negotiations and the expiry of the transition period at the end of the year, my Department’s priorities for Brexit are:
- readiness for the conclusion of the transition period, including overseeing preparations at the ports and airports;
- implementation of aspects of the Withdrawal Agreement and Protocol;
- addressing certain policy areas that will be impacted by the negotiations, e.g. public procurement, EU funding and the new post-Brexit PEACE PLUS programme; and
- the ongoing public expenditure implications of Brexit response measures.
