Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if any particular incentives continue to be considered to encourage the entrepreneurial skills of young people throughout the country particularly in the aftermath of Covid-19 and Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45385/22]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The 31 Local Enterprise Offices nationwide act as a ‘first-stop-shop’ providing advice and guidance, financial assistance, and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business. Their business advisors and mentors offer signposting to the programmes and supports that will help and encourage new entrepreneurs start and successfully run their own businesses.

The LEOs continue to provide advice and support to entrepreneurs to pursue their business ideas and look for opportunities to start up new businesses, including a broad range of training programmes. These include the Start Your Own Business Programme and the Mentor Programme.

Encouraging and promoting an enterprise culture is an important area of activity for Local Enterprise Offices. The LEOs continue to support entrepreneurship training in the education system as a critical element in the future development of small business in Ireland.

EI via the LEO Centre of Excellence provide ‘Entrepreneurial Education Programmes’ to primary schools across Ireland, who have opted in. These programmes aim to complement the school curriculum by introducing entrepreneurial skills to primary school pupils from an early age. A critical component in the delivery is to teach young pupils entrepreneurial skills through practical hands-on experience.

The Student Enterprise Programme, an initiative run by the network of Local Enterprise Offices, is Ireland’s largest and most successful student enterprise programme with over 26,000 second level students taking part each year. Students from 1^stto 6^thyear get to do everything a ‘real-life’ entrepreneur would do, from coming up with the business idea to marketing, sales and preparing a business plan/business poster. The National Final for the ‘Student Enterprise of the Year’ award is held in May of each year

Enterprise Ireland also has a number of start-up supports for entrepreneurs, including young entrepreneurs, such as:

New Frontiersis the National Programme designed to develop entrepreneurs delivered by Institutes of Technology and Universities nationwide. The programme takes place over three phases and consists of practical and interactive workshops, personalised one-to-one mentoring, financial support and co-working space.

Competitive Start Fund: €50,000 equity investment designed to accelerate the development of high potential start-up companies by supporting them to achieve commercial and technical milestones such as evaluating international market opportunities or building a prototype.

Student Entrepreneur Awards: An annual event led and managed by Enterprise Ireland. The competition is open to full time registered third level students attending college on the island of Ireland. Students get the opportunity to turn their entrepreneurial ideas into commercial businesses. These winners are also given access to mentoring supports from Enterprise Ireland and the programme sponsors.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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161. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he remains satisfied that Ireland's export market continues to be accessible in the immediate aftermath of Brexit; if particular or specific challenges have been identified as potential major obstacles for Irish exporters and importers; if decisions have been made on contingency measures and are now in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45386/22]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Our export-led sector has demonstrated dexterity and resilience when faced with ongoing challenges in the global trading environment coupled with the aftermath of Brexit. The Central Statistics Office compiles statistical data in relation to Goods Exports and Imports. According to the CSO, in 2020, our total Goods Exports were valued at €162bn. Goods Exports to the UK were valued at €14.7bn (of which €12.3bn was exported to Great Britain and €2.4bn to Northern Ireland). In 2021, our total Goods Exports were valued at €165bn, an increase of €3bn over 2021. Goods Exports to the UK in 2021 were valued at €18.1bn (of which €14.4bn was exported to Great Britain and €3.7bn to Northern Ireland).

There are a number of current challenges that are potential obstacles to international trade such as the war in Ukraine, supply side problems, access to talent, Brexit, inflation and the response mechanisms of different countries. The Department and its agencies are working closely together to try to mitigate against challenges for companies through programmes that improve competitiveness, enhance digital capability and through assisting companies to access new opportunities in overseas markets.

Notwithstanding Brexit, Enterprise Ireland clients experienced impressively strong export growth to the UK in 2021 with exports valued at €7.9bn, including a 20% growth in Non-Food exports. New Brexit related rules and paperwork have been challenging for exporters and importers, but most companies have now gained a good understanding of how to navigate any obstacles. In particular, exporters of small consignments are being assisted by Local Enterprise Offices information sessions on customs as well as training offered by other bodies. Enterprise Ireland have also been raising awareness of regulatory change and recently held a webinar for health and beauty clients about labelling and other requirements.

The Government is continuing to closely monitor the impact that both Brexit and COVID-19 are having on imports and exports to and from the UK and other markets. We will continue to help companies diversify and discover new markets and reap the benefits of free trade agreements and work with them to adapt to new realities, both in relation to Brexit and to COVID-19.