Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2025
409. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism 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]
View answerYour 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.
