Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, Enterprise Ireland published its annual report and accounts for 2012. While we have been preoccupied with austerity and troika targets, in the real economy the annual report of Enterprise Ireland tells us Irish companies and Irish entrepreneurs have achieved record export sales in 2012, breaking the €16.2 billion point for the first time. Enterprise Ireland client companies exported more in 2012 than at any time in the history of the State. Hundreds of Irish entrepreneurs, from web companies established by young people to major companies like Kerrygold, Glanbia and Dairygold, achieved a rise of €1 billion in sales last year, bringing the total in the year to €16.2 billion. Ireland is a small, open economy with a population of just over 4.5 million. Companies must grow their export sales in order to grow the company and to increase employment. The Enterprise Ireland annual report shows that client companies generated a net increase in full-time employment of 3,300, primarily driven by the record export performance. The major multinational companies are located in major urban population centres. Irish companies are regionally based, and the salaries and wages they provide are spent in shops and cafes in every community in the country, keeping the local economy alive. The annual report also deserves to be number one on the bestseller list and recommended for summer reading to read about the Irish heroes, small and big, who are turning around our economy and laying the basis for prosperity for the future.

Enterpreneurship is recognised both nationally and internationally as a key driver of economic growth, playing a critical role in creating employment and fostering innovation. International studies show that women entrepreneurs are seriously lagging behind their male counterparts and Ireland reflects this international trend with women early-stage entrepreneurs in Ireland outnumbered two to one by men. It is a very sad story. Increasing the number of women entrepreneurs in Ireland will add jobs for both men and women and will make a significant contribution to our economic recovery.

All Members will have received this morning a copy of the policy paper - Promoting Women Entrepreneurs in Ireland: Fresh Thinking on Employment Solutions for Promoting Women Entrepreneurs in Ireland.