Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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213. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment following recent Cork Chamber survey findings that 41% of businesses face significant challenges in international trade, the supports being provided specifically to SMEs in Cork city and county; the number of firms in Cork that have availed of Enterprise Ireland export assistance schemes in 2024-2025; and the additional measures are planned for 2026 to diversify markets and reduce over-dependence on UK trade. [49415/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There is a wide range of significant supports provided by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) to assist small and medium-sized businesses in all sectors. Many of the available supports are specifically targeted at those engaging in international trade.

The LEOs play an extremely important role at local level, as part of a supportive ecosystem, providing their services direct to small businesses and promoting entrepreneurship within towns and communities across the country. County Cork is supported by three Local Enterprise offices servicing the 3 local authority areas within Cork.

The LEOs offer direct grant assistance to small businesses that are specifically designed for growth or exporting and are aimed at those in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors.

Following a review of the existing supports the LEOs now offer the Market Explorer Grant, which replaces the Technical Assistance for Micro Exporters (TAME) grant and enables clients to explore and develop new market opportunities. This support can be used to part-fund the costs that can be incurred investigating and researching export markets.

Changes have been introduced to this grant to make it available to Small Businesses in the Manufacturing and Internationally traded sectors, with up to 50 employees, and increasing the maximum grant available to €10,000 to explore either a new geographic market for an existing product/service or an existing geographic market for a new product/service. The maximum grant available is €10,000 or 50% of eligible costs over 18 months and is limited to 3 approvals per client.

In 2024, 77 cork based small businesses were approved for the TAME grant and thus far 18 cork-based businesses have been approved for the new Market Explorer grant.

Additionally, in 2024, over 100 Cork-based businesses attended Local Enterprise Office-led Export Development Events. The Local Enterprise Offices in Cork continue to deliver a range of export development workshops and advisory services for businesses seeking to internationalise.

They have also partnered with Cork Chamber of Commerce and the Enterprise Europe Network to host export-focused events supporting Cork-based SMEs in accessing international markets, as well as co-hosting InterTradeIreland webinars on cross-border trade to further support these efforts.

Enterprise Ireland will continue to implement measures under the Government Action Plan on Market Diversification to reduce over-dependence on the UK and support Irish exporters in expanding their global reach. As part of this strategy, Enterprise Ireland has introduced two new grant supports: the Market Research Grant, which provides up to €35,000 to help companies assess the impact of tariffs, gain market insights, and develop mitigation strategies—even in markets where they already operate; and the New Markets Validation Grant, offering up to €150,000 to support the development of market entry strategies for new markets or new products. These initiatives are designed to build resilience, encourage diversification, and strengthen Ireland’s export footprint across the EU, US, and other high-potential regions.

In terms of regional engagement, 261 companies based in Cork (excluding infrastructural clients) received payments under Enterprise Ireland’s various client offers during the period 2024 to 2025 (YTD), reflecting strong uptake of export assistance schemes in the region.

The Deputy may also be aware that we have simplified access to grants and support programmes through the National Enterprise Hub (NEH) which can be accessed through the website www.neh.gov.ie/ or by speaking to an advisor by phone (01 727 2100) or via live chat. The NEH lists over 250 different supports for businesses from 30 Departments and agencies. The supports include those listed under the heading of ‘Expand your business’ which includes supports aimed at helping businesses to ‘Sell into new markets’.

The supports included on the NEH are primarily available nationwide. The NEH has dealt with over 8,000 enquires since it was formally launched in July 2024. Many businesses have accessed the Energy Efficiency Grant and Grow Digital, both of which were amended last year to broaden eligibility criteria and the Local Enterprise Offices’ Lean for Business programme. Other top supports include LEO mentoring, and the Department of Social Protection Wage Subsidy and JobsPlus schemes.

Last year, the ICOB and Power Up grants paid out over €400 million to businesses across the country. The Local Authorities administered the scheme on behalf of the Department. Under both grant schemes Cork City Local Authority paid out €21.2 million to over 3,500 businesses and Cork County Local Authority paid out €25.2 million to over 5,500 business. In total over €46 million was paid to businesses in Cork.

The range of appropriate enterprise supports for small and medium-sized enterprises is kept under on-going review.