Mr. Aidan Gough:

The first question was about our exports programme. We have several programmes but I gather the programme referred to by Deputy Lyons is the Elevate programme, which we launched recently. We launched it some years ago. Through our survey work with businesses we realised that a large number of small or micro businesses had been doing well as the economy was doing well, but as domestic demand collapsed their business collapsed. We recognised, as did the businesses, that their survival depended on expanding into new markets and that is why we piloted the programme. The demand was far in excess of what we had expected. Following an evaluation we concluded that the initial returns were substantial for the businesses that had participated in the programme. I do not have the exact numbers before me but I can send them to the committee. As a result, we decided to ramp up the programme. We have launched it again and the demand is high. I can send the figures to the committee. There have been substantial returns for the participants and this is the reason we introduced the programme. It has been successful.

I offer one example which brings it to life. There is a small company in Donegal, Oilean Glas Teo, which makes fertiliser from seaweed. The company did not have much experience of exporting. We helped the company through an export programme and we put a salesperson on the road for the company in the North. The company got contracts with some golf clubs. Then, the company became recognised because the golf clubs were world-renowned. Then the company got orders from other clubs in England. The company is now exporting to 13 or 14 countries and its fertiliser is on the pitches in the Emirates Stadium and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. That is the pathway.

Deputy Lyons referred to advertising. These case studies are important in terms of advertising as well because if we can get these case studies out then people in other businesses can come around to the view that if these companies have done it then they can do it too. In our advertising we try to put out case studies of businesses that have benefited from the supports.

I realise the State bodies group is working on the idea of a portal with access to all the supports. This is one of the recommendations in our report. Mr. Magennis has spoken to all the agencies in the South about the proposal. We hope that when it comes forward it will be a major asset in marketing the supports that are available to small and micro businesses.