Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy knows, the Minister, Deputy Burke, launched the Government's Action Plan on Market Diversification recently. It contains important actions aimed at supporting export-orientated sectors, including the agrifood sector. This focus on market diversification for the sector also aligns with the objectives of the Food Vision 2030 strategy, which is led by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The action plan sets out a path to support Ireland's businesses large and small and to adapt to the global trading environment by striking out into new and diverse markets, deepening their engagement in existing markets and expanding where possible and where opportunities exist. As a global and open trading economy deeply connected into international supply chains, the action plan also serves to mitigate the current risks and bolster our economic resilience. Of the grants and schemes that are available, I want to talk about two in particular. The market research grant provides up to €35,000 to help companies assess the impact of tariffs, gain market insights and develop mitigation strategies even in markets where they already operate. The second piece is the new markets validation grant, offering up to €150,000 to support the development of market entry strategies into new markets and new products.

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