Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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118. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to expand the export capacity of the small medium enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18652/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Last Friday, I announced the outcome of Annual Business Review (ABR) 2012. This showed that Enterprise Ireland clients had exports of €16.2bn in 2012 with export growth of €1.793bn representing a 6.3% export gain on 2011. Continuing to support indigenous companies to build capacity to grow employment, increase international sales and build on their success in 2012 is central to the Government’s growth strategy that is underpinned by the Action Plan for Jobs, 2013.

Enterprise Ireland, through its Development Advisors (DAs), works with almost 3,000 clients providing both soft and financial support to assist in enhancing their capability and employment potential and develop their growth strategies. Under the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, Enterprise Ireland will continue to develop the recently published Potential Exporters Division as a new way of engaging with Irish companies that are not yet exporting. Furthermore, in 2013 in direct response to the demands of entrepreneurs and client companies, a number initiatives are being rolled out in the areas of funding supports, export information and advice, R&D, management strategy and advice, and building competitiveness.

Specifically under the Action Plan for Jobs 2013, a number of capacity building initiatives will be supported as follows:

- Competitive Start Funds (CSF) for specific groups of very early stage entrepreneurs (investing €50k per start-up) – more than 155 High Potential Start-Ups (HPSUs) and CSF start-ups are targeted;

- 15 Ministerial trade missions focused on sectors and High Growth economies are also targeted in 2013;

- More than 300 mentors will be appointed to provide tailored advice and guidance to Enterprise Ireland clients;

- A Pilot Initiative will be commenced focusing on enabling companies to research, evaluate and plan market entry strategies in new geographic markets;

- Support 800 participants on short course Management Development Programmes. 170 participants have already commenced or signed up for these courses.

- A participation target of 230 has been set for long term course Management Development participation across a number of courses including, "Management 4 Growth", "Leadership 4 Growth", the International Selling Programme and the Accelerated Growth Programme for CEOs of HPSUs. This target is also set to be met.

These supports are in addition, to Enterprise Ireland's continuing financial supports for client companies and are complimented by other measures, including, for example, the support of EI’s overseas office network.