Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the relevance of the eight regional action plans for jobs in view of Brexit; the specific details of meetings her Department has held with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government concerning the former's input into the national spatial strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33200/16]

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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This question relates to whether the regional action plans are fit for purpose in light of Brexit. Will the Minister give me details of any meetings that have taken place between officials in her Department and their counterparts in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government concerning the national planning framework?

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Quinlivan for his question. Sustaining and increasing employment and economic opportunity in the regions remains a key priority, especially in light of the Brexit vote.

As Minister with responsibility for jobs and enterprise, I wish to assure Deputy Quinlivan that I have placed Brexit at the top of the agenda for my Department and the agenda of the enterprise development agencies. We have yet to see the full implications of Brexit on the Irish economy. Clearly, it will present opportunities and challenges. Of particular concern to me at present are the immediate challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises due to a weakened sterling. Many of the sectors particularly exposed, including food, construction, retail, tourism and traditional manufacturing, have deep roots throughout the regions and they provide significant employment in rural and regional Ireland.

The implications of the Brexit vote on Irish enterprises will continue to be an important item on the agenda of meetings of the regional implementation committees charged with overseeing and monitoring the regional plans. I have attended many regional implementation meetings. As the situation evolves, we will monitor the potential and real impacts of Brexit on each region.

The value of the regional plans stems from the involvement of all the key stakeholders. The plans mean that, more than ever, we have a finger on the pulse of each region. I am working across the Government to ensure that, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, any actions taken in response to Brexit are tailored, targeted and evidence-based.

I recently secured an increase in the Department's current and capital budgets for 2017. This increase will be used to fund additional measures to support companies impacted by Brexit.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister says Brexit is top of her agenda but then goes on to say that Article 50 has not been invoked yet and that she is waiting to see what will happen.

This morning, an article in a newspaper includes a quote from a mushroom farmer from Tipperary, Lavinia Walsh. Basically, she says the impact has developed into a catastrophe for them. She has survived thus far but four of her neighbours, who are also mushroom farmers, have not survived. This must be the first priority.

I am concerned about the response of the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to Brexit to date. In the weeks and months since the referendum, the Department has had ample time and opportunity to co-ordinate a strategic response. To date, I do not see evidence of this.

The Irish economy, North and South, is facing into what is perhaps the most tumultuous and challenging period since the foundation of the State. Frankly, the best the Minister has to offer, I believe, are her aid plans, which are probably out of date now because of Brexit. The Minister has referred to how €3 million has been allocated. That is peanuts in the context of what we are dealing with. I am keen to hear the Minister's response.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Quinlivan keeps talking about €3 million. Actually, the relevant figures are €52 million and €3 million. The €3 million figure is a current allocation and the €52 million figure is a capital allocation. The allocations are to help IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland to deal with Brexit. I am keen to clear that up.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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Is that all there is to deal with Brexit?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy, you will have another opportunity.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The allocation is for IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland to help them to deal with Brexit and save jobs in this country as well as to explore opportunities that are available.

Deputy Quinlivan asked about meetings with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. My Department is represented on the national planning framework steering committee and has attended the three meetings held to date. The Department has also contributed written submissions to inform ongoing deliberations. My Department participates on the econometric and demographic technical working group. I participated in a discussion of the national planning framework with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government and his officials at the Cabinet sub-committee for infrastructure.

Have I another 15 seconds?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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You are over by 20 seconds. You might have an opportunity in the next minute.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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Basically, there is a real possibility that North-South trade could be seriously damaged as a result of Brexit. The potential for the negative impacts of a hard Brexit on cross-border trade and business development has been highlighted by ESRI, IBEC, ISME, Teagasc, Irish Congress of Trade Unions and others.

I am dissatisfied with the Minister's response. We are heading into a crisis that is characterised by great uncertainty. Such a crisis requires an appropriate response. Thus far, I do not believe the Minister has been forthcoming in this regard.

The Minister has referred to additional moneys but she has not actually told us what money will specifically target Brexit. Brexit is causing the loss of jobs in this country as we speak. People are telling us that they have lost their jobs.

InterTradeIreland is desperately in need of additional funding, but no additional allocation has been made to the company under budget 2017. The Minister should be going to Cabinet and specifically asking for InterTradeIreland to be given additional funding. Before the Minister retorts with the line that the people in the North have not contributed their part, it is a fact that the Government can give whatever it wants to InterTradeIreland as long as it is spent in this State. The Minister might come back to me on that point.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am not going to repeat it. The relevant figures are €3 million and €52 million to help towards Brexit and to help the enterprise companies. This is the first time that we have secured a 10% increase in the budget in the past 15 years. I cannot spell it out in a stronger way.

Deputy Quinlivan referred to InterTradeIreland. Obviously, the company has a major role in North-South relations. I absolutely take on board the point that North-South trade and business could be impacted in many ways by the UK withdrawal from the EU.

Already, InterTradeIreland has published a fact sheet for companies providing helpful information on this issue. InterTradeIreland will review and adjust its supports, if necessary. A series of information sessions for companies are being organised by InterTradeIreland at present. It will also monitor business needs and challenges through the business monitor survey process. In the first half of 2016, InterTradeIreland had the following activity highlights: the job creation impact figure was 739, with a full-year target of 1,100; the first-time innovative companies figure was 32, from a full-year target of 56; and the figure for first-time exporter companies was 40 from a full-year target of 50.