Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 January 2019
272. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants and participants in all Brexit schemes and supports provided by her Department or agencies under her remit; and the amount allocated to and expended under each such scheme in each year since being established, in tabular form. [3802/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and its agencies are working to provide extensive supports, schemes and advice to ensure that businesses are prepared for Brexit. These measures aim to assist businesses in identifying key risk areas and the practical preparatory actions to be taken over the coming weeks.
Additional resources have also been distributed across Science Foundation Ireland, the Health and Safety Authority and the NSAI for 2019 to support enterprises adjust to the new relationships with the UK and pursue new opportunities.
In addition to the direct supports outlined in the following table, my Department and I have been very active in the, "Getting Ireland Brexit Ready", public information campaign. This campaign includes workshop events throughout the country aimed primarily at business and people most impacted by Brexit. Officials from my Department and agencies also participated in the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events, which included Enterprise Ireland, IDA, the LEOs, NSAI and the HSA.
Further to the table, increased funding has been allocated to Brexit-related support from my Department and its agencies as part of Budget 2019. An additional €5 million capital funding has been allocated to the Local Enterprise Offices, an increase of 22%, and a further €1 million allocated to InterTrade Ireland to help SMEs prepare for the particular North-South challenges associated with Brexit. Additional resources have also been distributed across Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority.
The €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme provides relatively short-term working capital, one and three years, to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees to help them innovate, change or adapt to mitigate their Brexit challenges.
The scheme was launched in March 2018 and, as at close of business on 18 January, there have been 376 eligibility applications received, of which 337 eligibility applications have been approved and 65 loans progressed to sanction at Bank level to a value of €14.9 million.
The Future Growth Loan Scheme was announced in Budget 2019. This scheme is jointly funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Loans of €50,000 to €3 million will be available, with loans of under €500,000 being provided on an unsecured basis. The scheme will be available to eligible Irish businesses, including those in the primary agriculture and seafood sectors, to support strategic, long-term investment in a post-Brexit environment. The SBCI has issued an “Open Call” for financial institutions to apply by 11 February 2019 for designation as a lending partner under the Scheme. It is expected that this Scheme will be operational in early 2019.
While many businesses have taken preparedness actions, a number have yet to do so. It is vital that businesses prepare themselves for Brexit impacts and take actions to mitigate. Firms that do business with the UK, whether buying goods or exporting products, should examine their supply chains to determine their vulnerabilities and take appropriate action.
|
Scheme |
Uptake (28.01) |
|
Brexit Loan Scheme |
375 applications received, 336 approved by SBCI, 65 Loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €14.94 million. |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Scorecard - online platform for Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit |
3,902 Brexit Scorecards have been completed. 681 LEO clients have completed the scorecard. |
|
Enterprise Ireland Be Prepared Grant |
155 Be Prepared Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Market Discovery Fund - A support to EI clients to research new markets |
209 projects have been approved under this initiative |
|
Enterprise Ireland Agile Innovation Fund - Gives rapid fast-track access to innovation funding |
39 Agile Innovation projects have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Advisory Clinics |
11 Brexit Advisory Clinics have been run with approx. 915 in attendance |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit “Act On Programme” – A support funding the engagement of a consultant to devise report with recommendations to help clients address weaknesses and improve resilience |
165 “Act on” Plans have been completed |
|
Enterprise Ireland Strategic Consultancy Grant – A grant to assist EI clients to hire a strategic consultant for a set period |
1,049 Strategic Consultancy Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit-exposed companies that have completed sustainable growth plans |
706 |
|
Local Enterprise Office Technical Assistance Grant for Micro Export - an incentive for LEO clients to explore and develop new market opportunities |
419 clients were approved assistance under the Technical Assistance Grant |
|
Local Enterprise Office LEAN for Micro - The LEO Lean4Micro offer was developed in collaboration between the EI Lean department and the LEOs to tailor the EI Lean offer for LEO micro enterprise clients |
221 LEO clients have participated in the programme |
|
Local Enterprise Office Mentoring |
471 mentoring participants solely focused on Brexit |
|
Local Enterprise Office Brexit Seminars/Events |
3,996 Participants at the Brexit Information events |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Advisory Service |
4,175 SMEs have directly engaged with the Brexit Advisory Service in 2018 |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Start to Plan Vouchers |
There have been 811 applications, with 657 approved and 25 still pending assessment. |
|
Pilot Online Retail Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland |
Applications are currently being assessed by Enterprise Ireland and the successful applicants will be announced in Q1 2019. There will also be a second call in 2019 |
