Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
274. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of cloth-weaving factories operating in the country; if any special recognition and supports are available to such a traditional industrial business to ensure such manufacturing industries continue to operate in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30563/23]
View answerI understand that there are over 30 cloth weaving enterprises operating in Ireland. In the Enterprise Ireland client base, there are 4 main textile weavers.
In terms of funding for the sector, as manufacturing entities, any company with an ability to sell in the export market could be either a LEO, Enterprise Ireland, or Udaras client, and could avail of supports from the agency that they are eligible for support from. A number of cloth weavers are also supported by the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.
Many of the weaving and knitting companies are very export focused with demand from overseas buyers. Annually Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise and Udaras collaborate with the Design and Crafts council of Ireland to support companies in the sector to meet with domestic and international buyers.
As an example, Showcase, Ireland’s Creative Expo, is one of the country’s largest international trade shows. Over 4,000 buyers visit the event from across the world, including Ireland, the UK, the USA, Mainland Europe and the Far East, generating sales orders of over €20 million during the four days of the show.
Showcase is presented on behalf of the Design & Crafts Council Ireland, with support from Enterprise Ireland in promoting the trade show internationally through their network of offices overseas and the Local Enterprise Offices nationwide. More than 300 Irish brands are exhibited at the fair, including emerging Irish businesses supported by their Local Enterprise Offices.
In addition to grant assistance from the LEOs for eligible companies, all entrepreneurs can avail of LEOs training, mentoring and management development programmes, which include programmes that focus on achieving greater productivity. Supports such as Green for Micro, DigitalStart and the newly introduced Energy Efficiency Scheme, can assist small business owners in achieving greater efficiencies and reduce costs within their business.
