Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The common travel area will be protected regardless of what happens with Brexit. It is important for people who live and work on both sides of the Border and who cross it every day.

On the question about the take-up, some 811 firms have applied to Intertrade Ireland. It provides a start a plan voucher worth €2,250. More than 4,000 businesses have availed of the organisation's various Brexit advisory services. That is why I was keen and anxious to give additional funding to ITI in the budget. It received an additional €1 million to help it support businesses that trade on both sides of the Border. Some 471 microenterprises have received practical assistance through the LEOs' Brexit mentoring support programme, and, in 2018, EI provided €74 million in grant aid to Brexit-exposed firms. Significant work is work going on, and businesses are engaging. I want to ask any firms that have not engaged with the available supports to please do so. The Government is here to help.

This is a real co-ordinated approach right across Government and we are doing everything we can to support businesses and the challenges they face.

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