Written answers

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Small and Medium Enterprises Supports

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the additional in-market supports now available to Irish small and medium enterprises, SMEs, to prepare for or mitigate the impact of Brexit which were not available 12 months ago; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14710/18]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is central to the Government wide effort to prepare Irish SMEs and our wider business ecosystem for Brexit. Steps already taken include Budget 2018 (and 2017), our Trade and Investment Strategy published in March 2017 and through the Action Plan for Jobs 2017 and 2018.

“Building Stronger Business” sets out work underway, and planned, by DBEI and its Agencies in response to Brexit, including supports available to companies, inclusive of SMEs, to help them prepare for Brexit. It also describes our research programme designed to inform that response.

The following is a list of supports available to Irish SMEs to help alleviate the impact of Brexit on their businesses:

€300m Brexit Loan Scheme

In March 2018, the Government launched a new Brexit Loan Scheme for eligible businesses with up to 499 employees. Loan amounts range from €25,000 up to €1.5m, for terms of up to 3 years and a maximum interest rate of 4%.

SME Scorecard Online Tool

Any business can quickly self-diagnose whether they are ready for Brexit. This Enterprise Ireland (EI) scorecard is a first step in developing a robust Brexit plan. It will help to stimulate thinking about the key areas that may be impacted in your business and to self-assess your level of preparedness. www.prepareforbrexit.ie

Awareness Sessions & Advisory Clinics

There are a range of awareness sessions and Advisory Clinics being convened by EI, InterTrade Ireland (ITI) and the LEOs to provide information and support to companies all around the country on actions to address exposure to Brexit. The key focus of advisory clinics are Financial and Currency Management, Strategic Sourcing and Customs, Transport and Logistics.

Be Prepared Grant

For businesses that need external support in planning for Brexit, Enterprise Ireland offers up to €5,000 to assist client companies develop a plan.

EI Market Discovery Fund

Diversifying to new markets is one option for many businesses in preparing for Brexit. EI supports businesses to research viable and sustainable new market entry strategies.

Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs)

Brexit supports from LEOs in every county include:

LEO Brexit Mentor Programme: supporting Owner/Managers identify key Brexit exposures and develop robust strategies to address issues and maximise potential opportunities.

Technical Assistance for Micro-Exporters (TAME): Financial assistance to support market diversification in qualifying businesses to develop new and export market opportunities.

Lean for Micro: helping businesses adopt LEAN business practices to increase competitiveness.

LEO Innovation and Investment Fund (LIIF): Support for innovative developments in micro-enterprises by getting them investor ready.

InterTradeIreland (ITI) Brexit ‘Start to Plan’ Vouchers

ITI provides a Brexit Advisory Service to help businesses with practical advice, support and information on Brexit related issues. ITI also provides vouchers to enable companies to get professional advice on Brexit, including likely tariffs, currency management, regulatory and customs issues and movement of labour, goods and services.

FDI Brexit Supports

IDA Ireland offers support to client companies as they grow and diversify their Irish footprint. The IDA offers practical assistance, such as information and advice on Brexit risks and opportunities, and financial assistance across R&D, training, employment and capital investment.

Health and Safety Authority (HSA)

The HSA’s Chemicals Helpdesk provides a support service for Irish chemical companies and SMEs on meeting legislative duties and ensuring they can source chemicals and sell in the EU.

Certification, Standards and Metrology

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) provides advice on how best to ensure businesses are certified to appropriate standards to access markets.

A number of Brexit alleviation supports are also available from Government Agencies outside of my Department that are involved in specific business sectors:

Tourism and Hospitality

Fáilte Ireland offers a suite of supports for hospitality and tourism businesses, including an online Brexit Readiness Check, to assess Brexit risks and to respond to current challenges.

Bord Bia Brexit Barometer

Bord Bia’s Brexit Barometer is designed to help businesses assess their readiness for Brexit and also provides information on supply chain, currency, customs and international market diversification opportunities.

My Department is leading on a range of Brexit research projects, which will provide an extensive evidence base and valuable analysis to inform and guide Ireland’s position within the EU-27. The Department’s actions are set out in more detail in the publication Building Stronger Business: Responding to Brexit.

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