Call for better support for Brexit-exposed firms in Budget 2018

The Government has been urged to do more to back businesses exposed to Brexit in the forthcoming Budget with the additional funding allocated to State agencies to support Irish exporters last year described as “measly.”

Fianna Fáil said while it welcomed the recent announcement of €6.7 million in additional funding to Bord Bia further sums needed to be allocated to bodies such as Enterprise Ireland.

"Enterprise agencies also clearly need additional funding to help exporters and businesses overcome the challenges associated with Brexit," said the party's enterprise spokesman Niall Collins.

Budget 2017 allocated an additional €3 million to agencies charged with responding to the challenges posed by Brexit to take on extra staff with the funds spread across multiple organisations.

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“While many of these positions have been filled, not enough is being done to put contingencies and awareness structures in place to safeguard Irish export businesses exposed to Brexit. This was revealed in a recent survey of 600 Enterprise Ireland client companies, which found that in the last six months, just 38 per cent have taken measures to respond to Brexit, with 62 per cent having taken no action to date, said Mr Collins.

“A significant increase in state agency supports and funding is clearly needed. Budget 2018 must deliver substantial increased funding for enterprise agencies under Minister Frances Fitzgerald’s department,” he added.