Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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682. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will increase funding for InterTrade Ireland in 2017, 2018 and 2019, in view of the clear demand for the valuable service provided and the extra workload brought about by Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5521/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Intertrade Ireland (ITI) continues to undertake important work connected to cross-border trade.  Most notably, it operates a range of programmes to assist SMEs in developing their business both North and South. This includes assisting businesses to become first time exporters, developing innovation capacity and in pursuing procurement opportunities.

The work of ITI has now become even more significant on account of Brexit. The body is uniquely positioned to help businesses address cross-border challenges connected to the UK's decision to withdraw from the European union. That is why I have already made additional resources available to ITI, including funding for a research project to examine some of the potential impacts of Brexit on cross-border trade. ITI has also been provided with financial support for a number of new Brexit-related initiatives and the engagement of additional personnel.

ITI's future funding requirements will be kept under close review.