Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The White Paper sets out the Government's approach to enterprise policy for the period to 2030. It includes 15 targets that detail the Government's ambitions for employment and across the seven identified priority enterprise policy objectives. These objectives are integrating decarbonisation and net-zero commitments; placing digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy; advancing Ireland's FDI and trade value proposition; strengthening the Irish-owned exporting sector; enabling locally trading sectors to thrive; stepping up enterprise innovation; and building on strengths and opportunities, particularly by building specific clusters in different parts of the country that could benefit indigenous and FDI companies.

My Department will lead the development of consecutive two-year implementation plans of cross-government activity to implement the White Paper commitments. The implementation plans will focus on delivery of key initiatives or projects under each of the seven priority objectives. The first implementation plan, covering the period to the end of 2024, will be prepared in quarter 1 of this year and published shortly thereafter.

Progress will be reported on every six months to the Cabinet committee on the economy and investment and monitored on an ongoing basis via the associated senior officials group, with the first progress report being prepared in quarter 3 of this year. The biannual reports will include updates on progress towards the 15 targets, with new data under each of the measures included as they become available from the relevant sources.

On the question of supporting indigenous enterprise, the White Paper sets ambitious targets to strengthen the Irish-owned exporting sector and enable locally trading sectors to thrive. This includes doubling the number of large Irish exporters and having an additional 2,000 Irish firms exporting by 2030.

Through successive implementation plans, we will facilitate enhanced management capabilities, provide access to competitive finance options and nurture strong sectoral and technological ecosystems. We will take action to fuel entrepreneurship and enable companies to scale and succeed from Ireland.

Locally trading firms will be empowered to achieve their potential through supports that will align their business models with the transition to a net-zero economy and boost their productivity through innovation, digitalisation and skills development.

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