Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2018
115. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which she remains satisfied that the growth of business and enterprise here continues to be soundly based in the face of threats in the aftermath of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23080/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the first publication of the Action Plan for Jobs in 2012, Ireland's economy has performed stronger than would have been thought possible at that time. The unemployment rate has reduced from a high of almost 16 percent to 5.9 percent in April 2018. Our total exports are at an all time high. The performance of our indigenous exports remains robust and on target to achieve €26 billion by 2020 with increased diversification across markets. Nevertheless, we cannot assume that past performance will continue - particularly as we face a changed environment in the aftermath of Brexit.
My Department recently published Enterprise 2025 Renewed. This involved reviewing our enterprise policies to ensure that our policy priorities remain robust in today's uncertain environment. Enterprise 2025 Renewed reaffirms our policy focus on export-led growth, underpinned by innovation, talent and investments in place-making.
In the face of global challenges, Enterprise 2025 Renewed places a greater emphasis on five main areas:
- supporting the development of Irish owned enterprises so that they are a driver of growth over the period to 2025;
- placing a spotlight on innovation, skills and on leveraging Ireland’s strengths in technologies - the fundamentals that underpin competitiveness and enhanced productivity;
- stimulating greater levels of clustering that takes advantage of the distinctive enterprise mix we have here in Ireland including foreign and Irish owned and optimises spillovers;
- developing Ireland’s relationships with new like-minded members within the EU, managing our reputation in the US in particular, as well as more widely; and raising Ireland’s visibility in overseas markets where we are less well known; and
- realising the potential of all of our regions.
While we cannot predict the impact of Brexit with any certainty, my Department and enterprise development agencies are focused on deepening the resilience of the enterprise base. We are building from a position of strength, notwithstanding the fact that there may be some vulnerabilities in our enterprise base.
I am ensuring that my Department and its agencies continue to work relentlessly with enterprises, to strengthen sectoral and firm level resilience as a sound basis for future growth. Building Stronger Business – responding to Brexit by competing, innovating and trading, published in November 2017, sets out work underway and planned, in response to Brexit, including supports available to companies to help them prepare for Brexit. Furthermore, the Action Plan for Jobs 2018 sets out actions aimed at solidifying progress made since the APJ was originally published in 2012, and at deepening resilience. A key focus in Action Plan for Jobs 2018 is to support businesses in accessing the finance needed to grow their businesses and address the challenges caused by Brexit.
I am confident that we have a strong basis from which to grow. While we cannot influence what happens externally, we can ensure that Ireland's future prospects are strengthened by taking the right actions now across Government to ensure that: Ireland remains internationally competitive; that our enterprises deepen resilience through investments in skills and innovation; and that we continue to create an environment that is supportive of business investment and growth.
