Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
323. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she has held discussions with the Minister for Finance regarding customs staff resources in addition to customs awareness and higher level customs clearance training and advice for third country trading as a contingency measure for a no deal hard-Brexit scenario. [32137/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCo-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit, including as regards customs related issues, is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which includes the Department of Finance and my own Department.
Contingency planning for a no-deal or worst-case outcome is well advanced and is focused on the immediate economic, regulatory and operational challenges which would result from such an outcome.
The Brexit negotiations are still ongoing and therefore there is still a lot of uncertainty about exactly what we have to prepare for.
However, there are certain things the Government can prepare for, such as getting our ports and airports ready for what may be a changed trading relationship with the UK, either after March next year or at the end of the transitional period in December 2020.
This includes looking at the number of additional customs officers and veterinary inspectors that will be required as well as infrastructure needs at our ports.
This work is well advanced and the Government will be in a position to take the necessary decision if and when required.
There are a range of initiatives underway in terms of raising awareness and providing information, advice and training in the customs area.
The Enterprise Agencies have a number of measures in place to raise awareness amongst firms as to the skills needs generally that may arise in the event of a hard Brexit. This is happening in the context of support being provided to companies to assess their Brexit exposure and identify contingency actions that can be taken now to prepare for Brexit. Addressing possible skills gaps, including in customs, is a key area of focus.
EI and ITI Brexit Advisory Clinics focus on priority areas for contingency action in Financial & Currency Management, Strategic Sourcing, Customs, Transport & Logistics.
There is also a ‘Customs and Logistics’ component of Enterprise Ireland Act on Programme which involves provision of Independent consultants to client companies for two half day sessions. This is designed to help them decide on specific actions over a short period to address risks and opportunities of Brexit.
The Revenue Commissioners has extensive engagement with industry and are providing advice on long term planning around skills for customs post Brexit. Industry Representative Bodies are also playing their part. Customs awareness and clearance training is being offered by the Irish Exporters Association, the Freight Transport Association of Ireland, Irish International Freight Association. Private sector provides are also active in this space.
Six Logistics and Services apprenticeships have been approved under 2015 and 2017 apprenticeship calls for Heavy Goods Vehicle Drivers; Logistics Associate; Supply Chain at the level of Associate, Specialist and Manager; and Lean Sigma Manager. Progress is being made on rolling these out with the Logistics Associate Apprenticeship beginning in September this year. The industry consortia led by Freight Transport Association of Ireland has been developing this in collaboration with DIT Aungier Street.
Finally, my Department is working with stakeholders to address recommendations of the recent EGFSN report ‘Addressing the Skills Needs Arising from Brexit’. Recommendations focus on raising awareness amongst firms as well as understanding and taking action to address skills needs in customs, financial management, languages, intercultural awareness, product design and development, logistics and supply chain.
