Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 July 2018
295. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of companies that have attended the Brexit advisory clinics since they commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31415/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnterprise Ireland (EI) supports companies in regional and rural areas to start, innovate and remain competitive in international markets, now and into the future. EI provide a range of financial and non-financial supports for companies to assist them scale and succeed in international markets; these supports are tailored to a company’s stage of growth and level of ambition.
To be resilient to economic shocks, such as Brexit, Irish exporting companies need to be innovative, competitive and have a diversified global footprint. Enterprise Ireland’s focus for 2018 is to help client companies build on the strength of their 2017 performance by putting an increased emphasis on market diversification, driving innovation and competitiveness.
In addition to the agency’s increased focus on market diversification, innovation and competitiveness, Enterprise Ireland is undertaking a programme to promote companies’ awareness of, and level of preparedness to Brexit. This activity has included running a national series of Brexit Advisory Clinics.
The purpose of these Clinics is to encourage companies to examine their potential exposure to Brexit, to complete the Brexit SME Scorecard and use the Be Prepared Grant to plan their strategic response to Brexit. To date Enterprise Ireland has run 7 Brexit advisory clinics throughout the country. Approximately 530 people have attend these events to date and four more Clinics are due to take place before the end of the year.
