Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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263. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the development of a business advisory hub for SMEs; the timeframe for development of this hub; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22219/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been working with the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland and the SBCI to build an understanding of the business needs of companies in adapting to the challenges posed by Brexit and to develop appropriate and targeted responses to support them.

Based on this work, I recently secured the agreement of the Cabinet Committee for Economy Trade and Jobs to explore and scope the development of a Business Advisory Hub.  The proposed Business Advisory Hub would build on existing supports available and on the advice and guidance offered by Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Offices and the Credit Review Office, and would assist SMEs to make informed funding and investment decisions.  It would provide a one-stop-shop for SMEs seeking advice, support and information.

Exploration and scoping of this proposal is underway (including the consideration of timelines).