Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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604. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Údarás na Gaeltachta will be strengthened via legislative changes in the same capacity as Enterprise Ireland will be under Part 3 of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019 in order to support Údarás client companies through investment, loans and regional development and innovation grants in order to mitigate the harmful effects of Brexit. [10398/19]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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605. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if Údarás na Gaeltachta will be strengthened via legislative changes in the same capacity as Enterprise Ireland will be under Part 3 of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019 and allow Údarás client companies to avail of the EU General block exemption regulation on state aid permitting maximum aid intensities for research and development projects of up to 70% for small and medium enterprises which is not permitted currently under Irish legislation. [10399/19]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 604 and 605 together.

At the outset I wish to assure the Deputy that Údarás na Gaeltachta are working in cooperation with all other relevant organisations on a coordinated approach to Brexit. In that context, Údarás na Gaeltachta continue to work in tandem with Enterprise Ireland [EI] on an ongoing basis to ensure that their client-companies receive the same supports as those that are available to client-companies of EI. 

It should be noted that, since 2012, both agencies operate under an mutually agreed memorandum of understanding [MOU] which ensures that client companies of Údarás na Gaeltachta have access to the same range of schemes being provided by Enterprise Ireland. 

In light of this, I am satisfied that Údarás client-companies will have access to the same level of supports and resources as will be available to clients companies of EI on foot of the enactment of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019. 

Finally, I wish to reassure the Deputy that there is regular and ongoing contact between officials from my Department and officials from the Department of Enterprise, Business and Innovation in relation to this matter and that both Departments recognise the need to ensure that both Údarás na Gaeltachta and Enterprise Ireland are in a position to offer the same level of supports to their respective client companies. 

In these circumstances, I am of the view that there is no need to specifically include Údarás na Gaeltachta in the provisions of Part 3 of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2019.