Brendan Smith
Ceist:1400. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to establish a North-South retail forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19205/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 May 2017
Ceisteanna (1400)
Freagraí scríofa
As Chairperson to the Retail Consultation Forum, I am acutely aware of the importance of the sector to the economy and of the challenges facing the sector. As our largest private industry employer on the island of Ireland, the retail and wholesale sector plays a vital role providing over 275,000 jobs supporting economic growth in every city, town and village in the country.
The Retail Consultation Forum was established in 2014 as a response to the challenges experienced by the sector during the recession. This Forum provides a platform for structured engagement between the retail sector and relevant public bodies to identify practical actions which could be taken to support the sector. Membership includes the main retail representative bodies, retailers themselves and representatives from relevant Government Departments and public bodies.
One of the most immediate concerns currently facing the Sector is the impact of Brexit and how this might influence consumer decisions. I am also keenly aware of the concerns about the uncertainty surrounding border arrangements that will be in place post-Brexit, and the concerns on the depreciation of sterling. In recognition of these matters, Brexit has become a standing item on the agenda for discussion by the Retail Consultation Forum.
My Department is committed to supporting the retail sector during this period of heightened uncertainty and is working with retailers on a pilot study into the firm-level impact for enterprise of Brexit. The outcome of this study, together with the outcome of a number of additional stakeholder engagements with businesses, including retailers, will assist the Government in informing our position during the Brexit negotiations.
Furthermore, I have established a Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Enterprise Forum on Brexit and global challenges. This will provide a vehicle for discussion of enterprise, trade and investment policy implications arising from wider global challenges, with a specific focus on Brexit in the first instance. The work of this Forum will help inform me on the development of DJEI, and ultimately Government policy positions on enterprise, trade and investment, to be taken during Brexit negotiations.
A number of other relevant pieces of work are underway. My officials are currently finalising the outputs from a series of structured engagements with companies of different sizes, across different sectors and across the regions on the impact of currency fluctuations on exposed companies. The information gathered during the course of this engagement is detailed and informative and will give me a clear indication of the needs of SMEs to help them address the short and more medium and long term challenges of Brexit.
My Department is also funding a research project being undertaken in close cooperation with InterTrade Ireland by the ESRI to improve our understanding of the impact on cross border trade of different trade and tariff regimes which might be imposed following Brexit.
My Department is also providing InterTrade Ireland with additional funding this year to undertake a range of initiatives for SMEs in the Republic of Ireland to help them adapt to the changed circumstances following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. This will involve the provision of factual advice, supports for capability building and the provision of other specialist expertise for companies.
Through my Chairmanship of the Retail Consultation Forum, the sector is provided with a direct line of contact with Government in which to raise all of their concerns, including the impact of the referendum in the UK, and to work collaboratively towards practical solutions. As the Retail Consultation Forum provides a platform in which to raise these concerns, and the members have and will continue to be updated by my officials with reference to relevant developments of my Department’s Brexit undertakings, there are no plans to establish a separate north south forum.