Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Enterprise was published in December 2022 and sets out the Government’s approach to enterprise policy for the period to 2030. The vision set out in the White Paper is for Irish-based enterprise to succeed through competitive advantage founded on sustainability, innovation and productivity, delivering rewarding jobs and livelihoods.

The White Paper includes key targets for employment and the seven priority enterprise policy objectives identified in the White Paper:

• Integrating decarbonisation and net zero commitments;
• Placing Digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy;
• Advancing Ireland’s FDI and trade value proposition ;
• Strengthening the Irish-owned exporting sector;
• Enabling locally trading sectors to thrive;
• Stepping up enterprise innovation; and
• Building on strengths and opportunities.

Additionally, the White Paper focuses on ensuring the correct framework conditions are in place to enable enterprise to thrive, including in key areas like access to finance, skills, and infrastructure.

Last month, I published the White Paper Implementation Plan 2023-24, which is the first in a planned series of consecutive two-year implementation plans setting out the steps Government is taking to realise our vision for enterprise. This first implementation plan identifies a portfolio of 40 key initiatives across all seven policy priorities that, while not exhaustive, reflect the range and depth of activities planned and underway in my Department, our enterprise agencies, and across Government.

The White Paper notes the significant role that Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) will play in strengthening the enterprise ecosystem across Ireland and supporting microbusinesses and SMEs to prosper in all regions. This includes both increasing the scope of firms eligible for LEO supports, as well as increasing the depth of existing services provided to ensure that the appropriate skills programmes, enterprise supports and business advisory services are made available to assist Irish businesses.

Since the establishment of the LEOs in 2014, the capital programme budget for the network has almost doubled from €18.5 million to €35.8 million in 2023.

In 2023, funding for the LEOs was increased by €4m to provide for the introduction of new schemes, including the extension of the LEO mandate to engage with businesses employing up to 50 employees. The pilot for this received an allocation of €2m in Budget 2023. The recently announced Energy Efficiency Grant, which has been introduced on a pilot basis to assist businesses in undertaking an energy saving project, also received €2m in funding this year. These measures have been introduced alongside other interventions, such as Green for Micro and Digital start, to address the evolving enterprise agenda and meet recognised needs within the SME sector.