Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on a recent Brexit survey result by a bank (details supplied) showing that just 6% of SMEs here have a Brexit plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14214/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Extensive work has been ongoing in my Department to prepare for all Brexit eventualities. This includes research and the development of supports to help ensure that businesses are prepared for potential difficulties arising as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Research conducted on behalf of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in October of 2017 by B&A  found that 16% of SMEs surveyed had formal contingency plans in place for Brexit. However, an additional 20% indicate that they have done some informal Brexit planning. The B&A survey found that formal planning for Brexit was lowest among small businesses, while medium-sized businesses were better prepared. Among food businesses, one of the sectors most exposed to Brexit-related uncertainty, the proportion of businesses who indicate that they have a formal Brexit plan is closer to 26%.

The Brexit Loan Scheme, launched on 28 March, encourages eligible businesses affected or potentially affected by Brexit to engage in formal planning. To this end, one of the requirements for applications for loans under the scheme is that businesses provide a business development plan, demonstrating that they plan to innovate, change or adapt in response to Brexit.

The agencies of my Department are also fully engaged in preparing for Brexit. Enterprise Ireland’s (EI) #PrepareforBrexit communications campaign, featuring the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’, was launched last March.  The Scorecard is an interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit. 

As part of awareness-raising activities, EI is rolling out regional Brexit Advisory clinics throughout the year. To date, clinics have been held in Letterkenny, Tralee, Portlaoise, Claremorris, Cootehill and Charleville. A Brexit two-day external consultancy support is also being rolled out to individual clients to help them develop a detailed sustainable growth plan.

EI has also 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.

The funding to the Local Enterprise Offices has been increased by 22% and they, along with InterTrade Ireland, are offering a range of Brexit focused supports to companies, including those engaged in cross-border trade with Northern Ireland.