Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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294. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of exports by Enterprise Ireland-backed companies for the years 2022 and 2023; the expected level of these type of exports for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29811/24]

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Companies supported by Enterprise Ireland exported goods and services worth €34.6 billion in 2023, the highest level on record, and 2% higher than 2022 when exports by Enterprise Ireland supported clients stood at €33.8 billion.

The UK remains the largest export market for Enterprise Ireland clients. Exports to that country account for about 29 per cent of all international sales at just under €10 billion. Sales to the UK rose 6 per cent in 2023.

The euro zone grew by a more modest 2 per cent, this can be largely attributed to food exports to the region being down by 6 per cent. Germany, France and the Netherlands remain the biggest markets in the euro zone for Irish companies. Exports to Germany increased by 14 per cent to €2.3 billion while exports to France were up 5 per cent to €1.8 billion. Exports to the Netherlands were down 13 per cent to €1.75 billion.

Exports to North America accounted for almost a fifth of the overall total at €6.5 billion. Just under €6 billion of that went to the US. Non-food exports to North America were up 8 per cent while technology and services grew by the same rate to €2.95 billion. Industrial and life sciences exports were up 7 per cent to €2.22 billion.

While food and sustainability exports overall declined 4 per cent compared to a year earlier due to a slide in dairy prices, the sector remains the dominant one, accounting for more than half of all exports. Industrial and life sciences rose 7 per cent to €10.4 billion while technology and services exports rose 10 per cent to €8.5 billion.

Enterprise Ireland client companies spent €39.3 billion in the Irish economy in 2023, that includes about €11.7 billion spent on payroll.

Enterprise Ireland have advised that they are not in a position to provide a forecast for 2024 exports. Companies supported by Enterprise Ireland will be surveyed in Q1 of 2025 to establish the level of exports achieved in 2024. Internal monitoring of export performance to date in 2024 suggests that there has been moderate growth in exports over the first six months of 2024.