Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the actions to be taken as a result of the outputs from a series of structured engagements with companies across the regions of different sizes and sectors on the impact of currency fluctuations on exposed companies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26559/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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A recent survey of SMEs commissioned by my Department on Brexit impacts, and published on my Department’s website, indicated that 49% of companies had experienced no impact on their business from Brexit, and a further 15% had experienced minimal impact. However, when asked to look forward over the next 18 months the percentage expecting no Brexit impact drops to 26%, with 17% expecting a significant impact.

Based on this analysis, other research carried out on behalf of my Department over the past months, and extensive engagement with stakeholders, my Department is working closely with Enterprise Ireland, the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine, and the SBCI to develop targeted supports dealing with identified needs of companies around working capital and business development.

My Department and its agencies are actively supporting companies in preparing for Brexit on an ongoing basis. Enterprise Ireland’s (EI) #PrepareforBrexit communications campaign featuring the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ was launched in March.  The Scorecard is an interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit. 

EI has introduced a ‘Be Prepared Grant’ which offers up to €5,000 for exporting client companies to conduct further research and  use external expertise to develop a Brexit Action Plan. EI is also delivering various supports to reduce supply-chain costs and drive efficiencies as a means of improving operating margins, thereby increasing competitiveness.

The Local Enterprise Office Brexit-focused supports include the roll out of a national Lean for Micro initiative to improve competitiveness; mentoring and training initiatives; and awareness raising including workshops and cross-border business networking.

InterTrade Ireland is also undertaking a range of initiatives for SMEs trading across the border including the provision of advice and supports for capability building.