Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

288. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she remains satisfied that Irish products on world markets remain sufficiently attractive in view of the various international challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50850/18]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

289. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the degree to which she continues to encourage and expand markets for Irish goods overseas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50851/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.

Competitiveness is key to success in international markets, to job growth and as a means of achieving sustainable improvements in living standards. Improving competitiveness performance is a core focus for Government, and as part of this work my Department, its agencies and the National Competitiveness Council are continually engaged with relevant stakeholders on the particular policy needs required to strengthen our international competitiveness.

In its 2017 Competitiveness Challenge Report, the Council has identified a range of threats to Ireland’s competitiveness, including the potential impact of Brexit, the concentration of our export markets and the range of products and services exported.

At firm level, Enterprise Ireland (EI) actively supports firms to develop new products and services for new and existing markets. EI’s Strategy 2017-20 “Build Scale-Expand Reach” looks to increase the reach of its client company exports, with two-thirds of exports going beyond the UK. To broaden the export footprint across the globe, the EI Strategy focuses on training and supports to enhance management capability, leadership and productivity, marketing/sales skills, innovation and R&D, access to funding to help companies to build market share and create new market opportunities.

Sustaining and growing jobs and diversifying the export base is a challenge when aligned with the key objective of reducing the overall dependence on the UK market as a percentage of overall exports. Therefore, my Department has allocated additional funding in 2017, 2018 and 2019 to enable EI achieve its objectives.

Extra staff has been placed in EI’s overseas offices with sectoral knowledge and expertise such as in engineering, food, life sciences and construction. Also, in Budget 2019 I allocated an extra €3 million to EI to help it to diversify our Global Footprint. This will drive export growth to international markets where there are known opportunities and reduce reliance on the UK.

There is now a major focus on directing resources and expertise to the Eurozone markets where EI sees opportunities, targeting a 50% increase in exports by 2020. A new ‘Irish Advantage’ communications campaign is targeting Eurozone buyers to buy Irish innovation in key Brexit impacted sectors.

There are also significant opportunities in various other international markets for quality Irish goods and services. The future relative importance and forecasted growth rates of China, India, the South-East Asian countries, the Gulf States, Latin America and Africa combined with the scale of these markets means we will support Irish companies to continue to work to build exports in these markets. In January of this year, EI launched its new Market Discovery Fund to help more Irish companies accelerate their market diversification efforts.

A more diverse export base can reduce exposure to external demand shocks, exchange rate fluctuations and instability in export earnings and enhance growth and jobs. I will continue to work with my Department and EI to ensure Irish-based exporters, particularly in exposed sectors such as traditional manufacturing and agri-food, will continue to be supported to scale and diversify sustainably and strategically.

Innovation remains at the forefront of any business to ensure that they grow and expand to ensure they are at a level to compete on the EU and global markets effectively. Innovation involves helping companies improve competitiveness by developing new processes, products or services or by modernising and adapting current processes, products or services to bring them to a standard that will allow the company to enter new and existing markets internationally. Innovation is an essential component in a company’s ability to maintain a competitive edge in overseas markets. EI has a suite of supports available to assist client companies innovate and develop their enterprise. These supports help new and existing companies to develop new and improved products and services which serve as the basis for sustainable export growth.