Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2020
54. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the July stimulus package; if relevant small and local business representative bodies will be consulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16218/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince I took up the role of Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, my focus has been on preparing the July Stimulus Package which will be radical, of scale and far-reaching. Not only must we overcome the current challenges, but we must also look ahead and set our economy on the right course for the future.
My Department has developed a range of proposals which I have brought to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment for consideration. These proposals, along with others from Ministerial colleagues, will be developed and adjusted further for the Government’s consideration of an ambitious stimulus package which will be announced shortly.
The July package will be followed in October by the National Economic Plan to be published on the same day as the Budget. The National Economic Plan will chart out our longer-term, jobs-led recovery.
I expect the Economic Plan will include a major reskilling programme, policies to promote balanced regional development and it will emphasise the importance of attracting and sustaining Foreign Direct Investment.
I understand the critical role SMEs must play in the national recovery and I welcome all suggestions and inputs such as from those bodies referred to by the Deputy. The Government listens carefully to all such suggestions and will consider them as we develop responses to the crisis and put our economy on the path to recovery. Indeed, I understand that my colleagues Minister English and Minister Troy have already engaged stakeholders in this regard and responses will influence the shape of the July Stimulus Package and the development of the National Economic Plan.
The new Government’s job over the coming weeks and months is to help businesses get back on track in every way we can. I have every confidence that a radical and far-reaching July Stimulus Package will help to set our businesses and our economy on the right course for the future.
On Friday last, I jointly chaired with Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe TD, the first meeting of the new SME and State Bodies Group focusing on the July Stimulus Package.
The SME and State Bodies Group, which was set up under a commitment in the Programme for Government, includes the main national business organisations representing SMEs and a wide range of State bodies that are responsible for designing and distributing business supports. The meeting was also attended by Minister of State Damien English TD and Minister of State Robert Troy TD.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the possible supports and interventions that Government can provide that could have a beneficial impact on small and medium businesses as our economy reopens.
Additionally, a new SME Growth Taskforce will be formed with representation from a wide range of business representative bodies and enterprise agencies. I will announce the membership of the SME Growth Taskforce in the coming weeks, and it will be a time limited body with its work concluding in advance of the National Economic Plan.
