Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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43. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which her Department can support and develop the manufacturing and services sectors here to meet the competitive challenges in the aftermath of Brexit, both inside and outside the EU, and the necessity to be in a position to supply goods and services to alternative markets in new environments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6326/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Jobs 2017 sets out a full suite of initiatives to support enterprise growth and the actions that will be taken to mitigate against the likely impact of Brexit.

In terms of Irish manufacturing and services, Enterprise Ireland’s supports are focused on the following two key priorities;

(1) intensifying its work with clients to maintain and grow UK exports and extend their reach into international markets,

(2) reinforcing the competitiveness of clients with ambition by strengthening their productivity, innovation and management capability to become more competitive in international markets.

Extra staff will be placed in EI’s overseas offices with sectoral knowledge and expertise such as in engineering, food, life sciences and construction.

The EI Export strategy has a specific emphasis on markets including:

- the Eurozone, where EI plans to increase exports by 50% to 2020,

- the USA/Canada,

- Asia and

- the Middle East.

EI will implement extensive trade mission and event schedules focussed on global and sectoral opportunities. It will also further develop in-market expertise and networks, and place a greater focus on identifying new sectoral opportunities. To stimulate demand for Irish products and services EI will roll out its ‘Global Ambition’ international marketing campaign.