Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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394. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of market discovery fund grants approved. [45094/19]

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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395. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Be Prepared grants awarded to date. [45095/19]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.

Brexit presents the most significant economic challenge of the past 50 years, and it is important that we prepare for any long-term structural and disruptive change that may emerge.

To promote awareness, and supported by a national Prepare For Brexitcampaign, Enterprise Ireland designed and launched the Be Prepared Grantthat offers up to €5,000 in support for the costs of SME clients in preparing a plan to mitigate risks and optimise opportunities arising from Brexit. As of 25 October 2019, 223 Be Prepared Grants have been approved by Enterprise Ireland to its clients.

A key strategy for Irish companies to withstand current global economic challenges is to diversify their export footprint. Enterprise Ireland launched the Market Discovery Fund with the aim of encouraging companies to expand into new markets by helping with the costs of researching viable and sustainable market entry strategies. As of 25 October 2019, 221 market discovery grants have been approved by Enterprise Ireland to businesses under this initiative.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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396. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of Brexit start planning vouchers awarded to date. [45096/19]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The “Planning Voucher” is offered by InterTradeIreland (ITI) to companies across Ireland that are preparing for Brexit. Valued at €2,250, it enables recipient firms to obtain expert advice on specific areas such as tariffs, currency management, regulatory and customs issues and movement of labour, goods and services. There has been strong demand for this scheme, with over 1,727 vouchers approved to date.

ITI expanded its range of Brexit supports in 2019 to include a new “Brexit Implementation Voucher”. Valued at €5,625, with ITI paying 50%, it allows businesses to implement critical changes, thereby making them better prepared to deal with the new trading relationship ahead.

In addition to its voucher schemes, ITI provides a range of Brexit supports and advice through its special Brexit Advisory Service.

To support ITI’s important work in helping businesses prepare for the challenges associated with Brexit, my Department is providing an additional €1 million in capital funding to ITI in 2019. This funding will enable the body to engage with even more firms through its Brexit Advisory Service, as well as meeting demand for other programmes that support cross-border trade.

Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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397. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number and value of grants awarded under the Brexit loan scheme to date. [45097/19]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Brexit Loan Scheme provides affordable working capital to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees that are or will be Brexit impacted and which meet the scheme criteria. The €23 million exchequer funding announced in the 2018 Budget (€14 million from my Department and €9 million from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) has been leveraged to provide a fund of up to €300 million over the lifetime of the scheme.

The scheme features a two-stage application process. First, businesses must apply to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to confirm their eligibility for the scheme. Businesses can use guidelines provided on the SBCI website to determine if they are eligible, and if so, to complete the eligibility form. As part of the process, businesses must submit a business plan, demonstrating the means by which they intend to innovate, change or adapt to meet their Brexit challenges. The SBCI assesses the applications and successful applicants receive an eligibility reference number.

Successful applicants can then apply for a loan under the scheme with one of the participating finance providers using their eligibility reference number. Participating finance providers are the Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank and Allied Irish Bank. Approval of loans is subject to the finance providers' own credit policies and procedures.

As at 28 October 2019, there have been 869 applications for eligibility under the scheme, of which 779 have been approved. There have been 156 repeat applications, as eligibility under the scheme expires after six months. To date, 207 applications have progressed to sanction at finance provider level, to a total value of €45.5 million.