Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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20. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports in place to businesses under the Brexit adjustment initiative to assist in challenges presented by the new UK Import rules imposed on Irish and EU exports since January 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30009/24]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) aims to provide financial support to the most affected member states, regions and sectors to deal with the adverse consequences of Brexit. Businesses supported by Enterprise Ireland have access to a range of expert teams from Development and Market Advisors to Digital Marketers and Technologists, with in-depth industry knowledge and supports to start, scale and grow internationally. They can also benefit from international trade missions, trade event programmes and buyer visits which are instrumental when growing and scaling internationally.

Funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve has been allocated to my Department through the European Commission. Ireland, as the Country clearly most affected by Brexit, was awarded the largest share, over €1 billion, the equivalent to just over 20% of the entire reserve.

In 2022 - 2023, €15 million was allocated to Enterprise Ireland (EI) for disbursal to indigenous companies to assist with eligible costs as a result of Brexit. The BAR eligibility period for expenditure ran retrospectively from the 1st of January 2020 and ended on the 31st of December 2023.

Since the UK departed the EU in 2020, Enterprise Ireland, on behalf of my Department, designed a range of supports, which were developed and launched to assist Irish enterprises to deal with potentially one of the most disruptive events to ever happen within Irish international trade. With the introduction of BAR, these schemes were adapted to qualify for funding under this initiative.

These supports include:

• The 'Be Prepared' Grant
• The Border Enterprise Development Fund
• The Capital Investment Scheme Agricultural Products Scheme
• The Clear Customs Financial Support Grant
• The Evolve Strategic Planning Grant
• The Market Discovery Fund
• The Ready for Customs Grant.