Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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173. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the allocation under budget 2023 for InterTradeIreland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3218/23]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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InterTradeIreland (ITI) is one of six North-South implementation bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. It operates under the oversight of the NSMC and of its sponsor Departments, the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy. ITI works to promote trade and business on an all-island and cross-border basis. Through its range of programmes, the Body continues to support and develop cross-border trade and businesses as they face the challenges that have emerged in recent years, including Brexit and more recently, COVID-19.

A total of €11.586m has been allocated to support ITI’s work. This closely matches its allocation in 2022 and will allow the Body to continue to deliver its effective work to grow trade across the border and assist SMEs to scale their business and address challenges in the new trading environment.

In addition to continuing its existing core services, ITI is developing new targeted supports including a cross-border Trade Information Service, a Supply Chain Programme and a Digital Sales Platform, which will require adequate resourcing.

The Trade Information Service will build on the success of ITI’s Brexit Advisory service, reaching a wider range of cross-border traders and helping them adapt to and operate in the new trading environment. It will act as an all-inclusive programme offering new and existing cross-border traders a service to help them operate in the new trading environment. ITI estimate that it will reach a wider audience of 44,000 cross-border traders. ITI are finalising the development of the scheme and it is expected to launch in Q1 2023.

I expect a significant increase in demand for ITI’s resources in the period ahead. This means more applicants for its supports, more firms engaging with the Body for practical advice and more SMEs seeking to participate in ITI’s workshops. That is why my Department are working to ensure that ITI has the means to meet that anticipated demand.