Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment whether dedicated enterprise supports will be introduced in budget 2026 for SMEs in the fashion and design sector for example, in areas such as research and development grants, innovation vouchers, or loan schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47913/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Your question specifically relates to Budget 2026 which will be announced by the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on 7th October.

Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices play a central role in supporting the growth and internationalisation of Irish SMEs across all sectors, including fashion and design. Through a wide-ranging portfolio of financial and advisory supports, these agencies help businesses to innovate, scale, and compete in global markets.

Enterprise Ireland continues to offer targeted supports that can be strategically leveraged by fashion and design companies. These include innovation vouchers to encourage collaboration with research institutions, RD&I grants to support product and process development, and a variety of funding schemes to assist with market entry, digital capability, and leadership recruitment. These supports are designed to foster innovation, build competitiveness, and enable companies to expand internationally.

The Local Enterprise Offices also provide critical assistance at the early stages of business development, offering mentoring, training, feasibility grants, and access to microfinance loans. Many fashion and design entrepreneurs begin their journey with LEOs before progressing to Enterprise Ireland as they scale.

My Department remains committed to promoting Irish creativity and enterprise on the global stage. Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo – is a key example of this commitment. Held annually at the RDS Dublin, Showcase connects Irish designers and makers with thousands of international buyers. In 2024, the event generated over €25 million in sales orders. Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with the Design & Crafts Council Ireland and LEOs, continues to promote the event through its overseas network and facilitate meaningful commercial connections.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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410. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is considering a targeted export promotion initiative in budget 2026 to support Irish fashion and design brands, particularly in key markets such as the EU, UK, and US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47914/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government recently published the Action Plan and Market Diversification which has a series of initiatives designed to deepen and expand existing market relationships where possible, identify and cultivate new market opportunities, deepen agency support for companies seeking to diversify their export markets and promote and protect market access for Irish goods. Planning by Departments and Agencies for their 2026 Trade Mission programme with be developed to achieve this objective, in line with the Action Plan for Market Diversification.

The Government through its agency Enterprise Ireland remains deeply committed to supporting the international growth of this vibrant and high-potential sector. Through a broad suite of strategic supports, Irish fashion and design businesses can access the tools they need to expand into key global markets, including the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

These supports are designed to help companies validate new markets, enhance brand competitiveness, and scale internationally. Whether a business is at the early stages of development or preparing to enter new markets, Enterprise Ireland offers funding to test feasibility, conduct market research, and recruit senior leadership to drive growth. Additional supports are available to build digital marketing capabilities and deliver strategic training in areas such as leadership, operational effectiveness, and sustainability.

My Department continues to champion Irish fashion and design through Showcase – Ireland’s Creative Expo, held annually at the RDS Dublin. This flagship event is a cornerstone of our creative export strategy. It connects Irish designers and makers with over 4,000 buyers from Ireland and overseas. In 2024, Showcase generated over €25 million in sales orders. Enterprise Ireland, working in partnership with the Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices, promotes the event globally through its network of 39 overseas offices and facilitates international buyer engagement through the International Buyers’ Hub.

In 2025, Enterprise Ireland led a Market Study Visit programme to build ambition within the sector to internationalise. These visits began in the United States and expanded to the Middle East, Canada, and Scandinavia, combining expert-led education with showcasing and networking opportunities.

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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411. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans in budget 2026 to expand trade missions or market access programmes specifically aimed at fashion and creative industries to strengthen Irish brand presence abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47916/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government recently published the Action Plan and Market Diversification which has a series of initiatives designed to deepen and expand existing market relationships where possible, identify and cultivate new market opportunities, deepen agency support for companies seeking to diversify their export markets and promote and protect market access for Irish goods. Planning by Departments and Agencies for their 2026 Trade Mission programme will be developed to achieve this objective, in line with the Action Plan on Market Diversification.

Aligned with the launch of the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification, and in response to the US trade tariffs, Enterprise Ireland launched two new grants to support Enterprise Ireland client companies to assess and respond to the impact of US trade tariffs.

• Enterprise Ireland’s Market Research Grant offers funding of up to €35,000 for companies to assess the full impact of tariffs, gain market insights and develop mitigation strategies.
• Enterprise Ireland’s New Markets Validation Grant offers funding of up to €150,000 for companies to develop market entry strategies for new markets or new products.