Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 28 March 2017

Select Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Estimates for Public Services 2017
Vote 32 - Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Revised)

4:30 pm

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has said that there has been a reduction in the targets for the LEOs. The target for 2016 was for the LEOs to create 2,500 jobs, but they created 4,100 jobs. It was an exceptional year. The target for this year is 3,100. We hope this modest target for the LEOs will be exceeded.

The Deputy also asked about Enterprise Ireland's response to Brexit.

Enterprise Ireland has been working really hard with its companies to deal with Brexit. It has identified the Irish companies that moved into the UK and expanded there. I have met some of those companies. Enterprise Ireland is going to have a targeted response. That is why it has been successful and why it is going to work. It is not going out advertising willy-nilly. It makes sure it meets our companies which it helps to expand in the UK. It will be delighted to avail of any opportunities for companies. It has an increased focus on assisting young Irish disruptive technology companies. We are making significant funding available in that area through the Horizon 2020 SME instrument. We have also targeted ensuring Irish companies can access funding support and contracts from the European Space Agency. Enterprise Ireland is successful because of its company by company approach.

Deputy Quinlivan asked me about InterTrade Ireland, ITI. Did he say that he thought the extra we are giving is €499,000?

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