Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 July 2014
345. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost to the State of trade missions undertaken by his Department since he has taken office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30797/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department, Enterprise Ireland is responsible for the development and internationalisation of Irish enterprises. Enterprise Ireland has a network of 30 offices worldwide to help Irish firms develop overseas markets. Each year, Enterprise Ireland, following dialogue with my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organises a series of targeted Ministerial international trade missions, market visits, participation in international trade fairs and a large number of international buyer visits to Ireland. These are focused on assisting Irish firms target and secure international contracts and overseas partners. In Ireland, Enterprise Ireland works directly with Irish firms to help them start up, develop their businesses, build competitiveness, and innovate so they can become successful exporters. Delivering an intensive programme of ministerial-led trade missions is a key commitment in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. The number of ministerial-led Enterprise Ireland trade missions has more than doubled since 2011. The impact of trade missions together with the many other sales, marketing and trade promotion efforts of Enterprise Ireland are reflected in the growth in exports of Enterprise Ireland clients and the jobs they sustain and create. As announced recently, Irish companies supported by Enterprise Ireland set a new export record of €17.1bn in 2013. This represents an increase of 8% on 2012. Ministerial led trade missions are internationally recognised as a key part of helping companies win export contracts. They provide an important level of credibility to participating companies and enable our SMEs to meet potential buyers at a senior level in target companies.
I set out below a list of trade missions that I or a Minster of State in my Department has partaken in since this Government came into office. The total estimated cost of these missions is:
|
Year |
Cost |
|
2011 |
€ 192,875 |
|
2012 |
€ 254,560 |
|
2013 |
€ 301,302 |
|
2014 |
€ 176,251 |
|
Date - 2011 |
Country |
Minister |
|
Apr-17 |
India/Saudi Arabia |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Sept 10-17 |
Australia |
Minister John Perry |
|
Sept 18-24 |
USA |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Date - 2012 |
Country |
Minister |
|
March 15-17 |
Finland/Sweden |
Minister John Perry |
|
March 22-30 |
China |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
June 30- July 3 |
France |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Oct 27-Nov 2 |
Japan |
Minister Sean Sherlock |
|
Nov 7-10 |
Canada |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Date - 2013 |
Country |
Minister |
|
Feb 26-27 |
Stuttgart |
Minister Sean Sherlock |
|
March 5 - 9 |
Texas |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
May 13 - 16 |
Poland & Czech Republic |
Minister John Perry |
|
July 21 – 27 |
China & Japan |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Nov 17-21 |
India |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
Date - 2014 |
Country |
Minister |
|
January 3-10 |
Gulf Trade Mission |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
February 9-13 |
Singapore |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
February 9-13 |
Malaysia |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
May 4-9 |
Texas, USA |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
June 21 - 28 |
China/S. Korea |
Minister Richard Bruton |
|
June 11-13 |
Switzerland |
Minister Sean Sherlock |
