Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2019
310. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applicants and participants in Brexit schemes and supports provided by her Department or agencies under her remit in tabular form; and the amount allocated to and expended by each such scheme in each year since being established. [8406/19]
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.
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 below, 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.
Work continues on the development of the Future Growth Loan Scheme, which will provide a longer-term facility, 8 to 10 years, of up to €300m to support strategic capital investment for a post-Brexit environment by business at competitive rates. SBCI open call to financial institution for the designation as lending partner has closed on 11 February and it is expected that the Scheme will become available 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 as at 31 January |
|
Brexit Loan Scheme |
433 applications received, 386 approved by SBCI, 81 Loans progressed to sanction at bank level to a value of €17.32 million (this figure as at 18 February) |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit Scorecard - online platform for Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit |
4,062 Brexit Scorecards have been completed. 722 LEO clients have completed the scorecard. |
|
Enterprise Ireland Be Prepared Grant |
156 Be Prepared Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Market Discovery Fund - A support to EI clients to research new markets |
241 projects have been approved under this initiative |
|
Enterprise Ireland Agile Innovation Fund - Gives rapid fast-track access to innovation funding |
40 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 |
190 “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 |
1,053 Strategic Consultancy Grants have been approved |
|
Enterprise Ireland Brexit-exposed companies that have completed sustainable growth plans |
739 |
|
Local Enterprise Office Technical Assistance Grant for Micro Export - an incentive for LEO clients to explore and develop new market opportunities |
431 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 |
479 mentoring participants solely focused on Brexit |
|
Local Enterprise Office Brexit Seminars/Events |
4,054 Participants at the Brexit Information events |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Advisory Service |
515 SMEs have directly engaged with the Brexit Advisory Service in 2019. This is in addition to the 4,175 engagements in 2018. |
|
InterTradeIreland Brexit Start to Plan Vouchers |
There have been 945 applications, with 789 approved and 16 still pending assessment. |
