Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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629. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of companies that have availed of Enterprise Ireland lean business supports which aim to strengthen the competitiveness and export potential of firms, by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16646/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Competitiveness has always been a strategic imperative for the Enterprise Ireland (EI) client base given the small and open nature of the Irish economy and their resulting need to internationalise at an early stage. Enterprise Ireland’s clients must continually innovate and evolve in order to keep pace with macroeconomic and technological changes and successfully compete and win sales in global markets. Following from the Brexit vote, the business environment which Enterprise Ireland’s clients are operating in contains new uncertainties, including a volatile exchange rate. Immediate and ongoing action is required to strengthen the competitiveness of clients and to reposition the Irish exporting sector for future growth.

The Lean Programme is a response offered to Enterprise Ireland clients in an effort to support their competitiveness building activities. The Lean programme trains management and staff in client companies to improve their capability and capacity to improve their operations. The offer is targeted to address all areas of operations from design through production to delivery and logistics. Client projects have improved operational performance across the key areas of their business and across all the key sectors represented by Enterprise Ireland clients.

The supported activities relate to the training of management and staff and include formal training activities, best practice study activities, network engagement with other like-minded companies who are challenging to improve their competitiveness. Training is delivered by trainers who are registered on the Enterprise Ireland Directory of Lean Service Providers. Trainers have to meet defined criteria before they are registered on the Directory.

The IDA and Údarás na Gaeltachta have adopted the Lean Programme to support their clients on their competitiveness improvement journeys. In addition, the LEO offices have adopted a Lean Start offer for their clients. Both Teagasc and Bord Bia are now engaging with the EI developed Lean approach. Initial pilots in the Horticultural (Mushroom) and protein production (Pig) areas are underway.

The following table shows the number of companies that have availed of Enterprise Ireland lean business supports by county.