Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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467. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will enable Enterprise Ireland to provide support to Irish retailers investing in their online sales capacity with a view to developing and expanding their sales to markets outside of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32755/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation I am acutely aware of the importance of online trading to Irish business. According to a study commissioned by my colleague Minister Naughten earlier this year, €850,000 is being spent by Irish consumers online every hour of the day.

Enterprise Ireland’s Consumer and Retail Department, in association with the Internet Marketing Unit engage with clients to help them develop their online marketing capabilities. Working closely with the Irish Internet Association, Enterprise Ireland’s Internet Marketing Unit delivers a range of funded and advisory supports for SMEs to identify the best eCommerce solution for their clients.

In addition, The Internet Marketing Unit provides a range of services, including strategic guidance, workshops and funding support to clients. In delivering on this, the Internet Marketing Unit regularly organises events which can connect clients with leading experts and inform them on best practice. Topics covered include Developing an Online Strategy; Online Localisation for International Markets; Search Engine Optimisation; Pay Per Click Marketing; Branding and Getting the Web Content Right.

I chair the Retail Consultation Forum which brings together retail representative associations and other business organisations with the relevant Government Departments and public sector bodies. The aim of the Forum is to provide a platform for constructive engagement between the retail sector and public sector bodies.

Taking the leap into trading online can be daunting for many retailers. It is hard to compete against larger, multinational retailers. They have the advantage of being in that space for some time.

The Retail and Digital Economy Working Group set up by the Retail Consultation Forum is examining ways in which retailers can best avail of the opportunities presented by the digital economy, including the key skill requirements to support retailers to increase their digital engagement and how to learn from existing supports.

The Trading Online Vouchers Scheme, delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) has been a proven success. Over 1,500 vouchers have been drawn down by microenterprises to assist with establishing an online trading presence. A voucher is worth up to €2,500, or 50% of the cost, to develop a digital/online presence with emphasis on the ability to trade online.

I am currently examining, in the context of the Action Plan for Jobs 2017, what further actions can be taken by the Enterprise Development Agencies and across Government to encourage more businesses to trade online.