Written answers

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Trade Missions Expenditure

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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345. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost to the State of trade missions undertaken by his Department since he has taken office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30797/14]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Under my Department, Enterprise Ireland is responsible for the development and internationalisation of Irish enterprises. Enterprise Ireland has a network of 30 offices worldwide to help Irish firms develop overseas markets. Each year, Enterprise Ireland, following dialogue with my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade organises a series of targeted Ministerial international trade missions, market visits, participation in international trade fairs and a large number of international buyer visits to Ireland. These are focused on assisting Irish firms target and secure international contracts and overseas partners. In Ireland, Enterprise Ireland works directly with Irish firms to help them start up, develop their businesses, build competitiveness, and innovate so they can become successful exporters. Delivering an intensive programme of ministerial-led trade missions is a key commitment in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs. The number of ministerial-led Enterprise Ireland trade missions has more than doubled since 2011. The impact of trade missions together with the many other sales, marketing and trade promotion efforts of Enterprise Ireland are reflected in the growth in exports of Enterprise Ireland clients and the jobs they sustain and create. As announced recently, Irish companies supported by Enterprise Ireland set a new export record of €17.1bn in 2013. This represents an increase of 8% on 2012. Ministerial led trade missions are internationally recognised as a key part of helping companies win export contracts. They provide an important level of credibility to participating companies and enable our SMEs to meet potential buyers at a senior level in target companies.

I set out below a list of trade missions that I or a Minster of State in my Department has partaken in since this Government came into office. The total estimated cost of these missions is:

YearCost
2011€ 192,875
2012€ 254,560
2013€ 301,302
2014€ 176,251

Date - 2011CountryMinister
Apr-17India/Saudi ArabiaMinister Richard Bruton
Sept 10-17AustraliaMinister John Perry
Sept 18-24USAMinister Richard Bruton
Date - 2012CountryMinister
March 15-17Finland/SwedenMinister John Perry
March 22-30ChinaMinister Richard Bruton
June 30- July 3FranceMinister Richard Bruton
Oct 27-Nov 2JapanMinister Sean Sherlock
Nov 7-10CanadaMinister Richard Bruton
Date - 2013CountryMinister
Feb 26-27StuttgartMinister Sean Sherlock
March 5 - 9 TexasMinister Richard Bruton
May 13 - 16Poland & Czech RepublicMinister John Perry
July 21 – 27China & JapanMinister Richard Bruton
Nov 17-21IndiaMinister Richard Bruton
Date - 2014CountryMinister
January 3-10Gulf Trade Mission Minister Richard Bruton
February 9-13SingaporeMinister Richard Bruton
February 9-13MalaysiaMinister Richard Bruton
May 4-9Texas, USA Minister Richard Bruton
June 21 - 28China/S. KoreaMinister Richard Bruton
June 11-13SwitzerlandMinister Sean Sherlock

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