Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of prepare your business for customs’ initial workshops that have taken place to 30 June 2019; the approximate number of persons and businesses that have taken part; and the customs awareness and higher level customs clearance training and advice for third country trading in place for SMEs by county, in tabular form. [29004/19]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A range of supports is in place to assist SMEs to address the challenges and indeed opportunities arising as a result of Brexit. The suite of supports and funding programmes available are primarily focused on enhancing innovation and competitiveness, export market diversification and information and awareness.

In relation to customs preparations, the “Prepare your business for customs” one-day interactive workshop is run regionally by the Local Enterprise Offices. These customs workshops educate business on the potential impacts, formalities and procedures you will need to adopt when trading with a country which is outside the Single Market and Custom Unions (a ‘Third Country’). They are open to businesses from all sectors. These workshops cover areas such as export and import procedures, tariffs and how to correctly classify goods in that regard.

The following Table refers to the customs workshops that have taken place up to the 30^thJune 2019.

Enterprise Ireland also run an online Customs Insights course which helps businesses understand the key customs concepts, documentation and processes required to move goods from, to and through the UK. The course provides learners with a firm understanding of the customs implications for their business and the options from Revenue to make this process more efficient.

To date there has been 1,269participants on the Customs Insights Course.

The Brexit: Act On programme has been developed to focus on three main areas of capability:

- Financial and Currency Management

- Strategic Sourcing

- Customs and Logistics

Delivered over the course of two half day sessions with an independent consultant, the initiative assists companies in deciding on specific actions over a short period to address some of the risks and opportunities from Brexit. To date 266Act On Plans have been completed nationally.

The Government will continue to monitor and introduce if necessary any further measures to address capacity or other issues in the field of customs operations and processes.