Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her vision for the development of the economy regardless of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39322/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Enterprise 2025 sets out a vision for Ireland as the best place to succeed in business, delivering sustainable employment and higher standards of living for all. The overarching ambition is to reach 2.18 people in employment by 2020, with growth delivered throughout the country. We aim to achieve and retain a top three competitiveness ranking.

We aim to generate growth that is sustainable, that is driven by exports, and underpinned by innovation and competitiveness.

We aim to realise a step change in the performance of our enterprises by 2020 to deliver, for example:

-a 60 percent increase in Enterprise Ireland supported enterprises spending more than €1 million on R&D;

-a 50 percent increase in exports in Irish companies – and increased market diversification to non-UK markets;

-an additional 1,080 inward investment projects and €3.6 billion in R&D related FDI; and

-a 25 percent per annum increase in start-ups and start-ups with better survival rates.

We are not blind to the possible implications of Brexit. I have secured additional resources so that we can redouble our efforts. The enterprise development agencies are actively engaged in supporting enterprises as they navigate through these challenging times, and to identify potential FDI opportunities.

Enterprise 2025 is a comprehensive strategy. It sets out actions that include a focus on building competitive advantage, on ensuring a supportive business environment, and on realising a significant uplift in the performance of enterprises based here in terms of innovation, export potential and productivity, and in attracting further investment.

We will continue to focus on taking action in the right areas to support enterprise as set out in Enterprise 2025. This focus does not change because of Brexit.

Just as the whole of Government responded to the severe unemployment challenge we faced post the global economic downturn, I am confident that we are responding and will continue to respond to the challenges and opportunities that Brexit presents.