Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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24. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the targeted strategies the IDA and Enterprise Ireland have ongoing in the border region at present and particularly in counties Cavan and Monaghan to entice businesses in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6186/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Enterprise Ireland (EI), the Local Enterprise Offices and IDA Ireland are engaging on an ongoing basis with all client companies regarding the impacts being felt as a result of Brexit. They have clear plans in place to mitigate challenges and maximise opportunities arising from the UK decision.

In Budget 2017, I secured additional monies, both current and capital, to support the enterprise agencies’ strategic response to Brexit.

InterTrade Ireland also has a programme of initiatives to deal with the practical consequences of Brexit for cross-border trade.

I have a particular focus on the trade implications for the border region and am heavily engaged with all stakeholders in the Region on an ongoing basis.

I met with a delegation of Councillors, TDs and Senators from Cavan/Monaghan on 19 January last to discuss enterprise and job creation issues in the counties.

The Regional Action Plan for the North East/North West, which has a strong Brexit focus, aims to support 28,000 new jobs across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth by 2020.

I attended the second Implementation Committee meeting in Cavan in September. There is strong progress to date, with 5,600 more people in employment across the region since the start of 201. Brexit is a standing item on the agenda of these meetings.