Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2021
62. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport the measures that will be implemented to assist businesses that are severely impacted due to supply chain issues, shipping delays resulting in the late arrival of freight, causing disruption to manufacturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59139/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational supply chains are currently under considerable strain as global economies emerge from Covid. Ireland’s international supply chains are similarly challenged. Shipping costs across the globe have risen considerably. This is largely attributed to the disruption caused to the global supply chains by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the aviation sector, cargo-only flights continued to operate during COVID but the grounding of the majority of scheduled passenger services, with the consequential loss of bellyhold capacity, had a significant impact on the price of air cargo.
The demand for use of the UK landbridge for accessing EU markets has fallen considerably as a result of Brexit. This has driven the simultaneous decline in Ireland-GB traffic and an increase in direct Ireland-EU traffic. However, land borders across the EU remain fully open and no delays, outside of the norm, have been seen over recent months.
Overall, like many countries across the EU and globally, Ireland’s supply chain remains under considerable strain. My Department continues to meet with stakeholders in relation to the range of issues they are experiencing, and rapidly responding to, due to Covid and Brexit. In relation to shipping supply lines, the Irish Maritime Development Office continues to monitor maritime traffic, trade and the global shipping market data.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has a range of support schemes available to businesses, including supports for businesses impacted by Brexit and Covid 19. Details of these details can be found on that Department’s website at the following link: enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/Which-support-is-for-you/
