Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2026
1035. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the supports available to artisan food producers and speciality food businesses in Cork county seeking to scale up production and access international markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57022/26]
View answerMy Department, through Enterprise Ireland, provides a range of supports to assist eligible Irish-owned artisan food producers and speciality food businesses, including those in Cork County, to increase productivity, scale their operations and expand into international markets.
Enterprise Ireland offers a broad suite of funding, advisory and business development programmes designed to help firms improve competitiveness, innovate and achieve sustainable growth. Through these supports eligible Irish-owned food and beverage companies can expand production capacity, invest in innovation and develop the capabilities required to compete in export markets.
For businesses that are new to exporting or seeking to enter additional overseas markets, Enterprise Ireland's Get Exporting programme provides tailored support to assess export readiness, identify market opportunities, develop export plans and build the skills necessary to succeed internationally. The programme combines one-to-one advice, market insights, workshops and access to Enterprise Ireland's network of international market advisers.
In addition, food and drink entrepreneurs with ambitions to scale and export can benefit from Food Works, a food business accelerator delivered by Enterprise Ireland in partnership with other agencies, including Bord Bia and Teagasc. The programme provides intensive business development support, mentoring and strategic guidance to help participating companies become investment-ready and pursue growth in international markets.
Enterprise Ireland continues to work closely with Irish food and beverage companies to support their development as innovative, sustainable and export-focused businesses, thereby contributing to regional enterprise growth and employment throughout the country, including in Cork County.
In addition, Local Enterprise Offices, including the Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West and the Local Enterprise Office Cork City, provide valuable supports for small food businesses through training, mentoring, feasibility and business expansion grants, productivity supports and export preparedness programmes. Eligible firms may subsequently progress to Enterprise Ireland supports as they scale and develop export potential.
Through these agencies, the Government remains committed to supporting artisan food producers and speciality food businesses across Cork and throughout the country to expand production capacity, improve competitiveness and increase their presence in international markets.
More generally, I would refer anyone looking for assistance with their business to explore the supports available through Government on the National Enterprise Hub (NEH). The NEH was established as a signposting service to simplify access to information on grants and supports for businesses.
The NEH is an all-of-Government signposting service for businesses that brings together multiple agencies and Government departments under one roof. The Hub was designed to help businesses navigate and access a wide range of Government supports. It is staffed with trained advisors within Enterprise Ireland who can assess the specific needs of a business and connect them with the most appropriate supports or agencies. The NEH now includes over 250 different supports for businesses from 32 Government bodies.
