Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
42. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the value of all-Ireland trade in 2020 and to date in 2021; and the specific initiatives taken by his Department to boost all-Ireland trade and enterprise. [52012/21]
View answerSince the start of 2020, we have faced unprecedent challenges on our island. With these challenges, however, has come opportunities.
The NI Protocol presents a unique opportunity for Northern Ireland, with access to the UK internal market and the EU Single Market of more than 450 million people. We have already seen the benefits of Northern Ireland’s unique position in the significant increase in cross-border trade.
In 2020 the value of goods exported from Ireland to Northern Ireland was over €2.3 billion. From January to August 2021, the value of goods exported from Ireland to Northern Ireland was approx. €2.2 billion. This represents a 47% increase over the equivalent period in 2020.
On the imports side, in 2020 the value of goods imported into Ireland from Northern Ireland was almost €2.4 billion. From January to August 2021, the value of goods imports to Ireland from Northern Ireland was €2.5 billion. This represents a 61% increase over the equivalent period in 2020. Statistics for services exports to, and services imports from, Northern Ireland for 2020 and to date in 2021 are not yet available.
My Department is engaged in assisting cross-border trade and business collaboration, principally through the funding of InterTradeIreland. ITI works to grow trade across the border and to help businesses in dealing with the joint impacts of Brexit and the pandemic. The work of ITI is helping to build and strengthen the business and commerce between North and South.
Through its range of programmes, the Body continues to assist and develop cross-border trade and businesses as they face the challenges that have emerged in recent years. Their Brexit Advisory Service works to provide a focal point for SME’s working to navigate the changes in cross border trading relationships brought about by Brexit. The Acumen trade programme is designed to support businesses by funding a part-time or full-time sales salary support to develop cross-border trade. By early 2022 a new Trade Information Service will be launched, where they will offer a complete information service that provides informational support on all areas of trade and reach the wider audience of 44,000 cross border traders.
This work is particularly important in the context of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative. Under the National Development Plan, we have doubled the Shared Island Fund to €1 billion out to 2030. With this fund, the Government will work to develop and deliver joint and coordinated investments to build a more connected, sustainable all-island economy. These investments will help to grow business and employment opportunities both North and South.
