Cormac Devlin
Ceist:163. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which he is helping businesses to scale-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30498/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 28 April 2026
Ceisteanna (163)
Freagraí scríofa
Supporting the growth and scaling of Irish enterprises is a key priority for my Department and its agencies.
By establishing national enterprise policy with a clear focus on competitiveness, productivity and sustainability, this Government’s aim is to ensure that the needs and capacity of small and medium businesses are fully reflected in policy and regulation.
Enterprise Ireland plays a crucial role in helping start-ups scale into successful businesses by providing a comprehensive range of supports and resources. They offer tailored funding options, including grants and equity investments, to help start-ups develop their products, build teams, and expand production capabilities. These grants can cover a wide range of needs, from research and development to market expansion and sustainability initiatives.
When Ireland’s high potential start-ups seek to scale-up and become global players, that transition can prove challenging. In particular, Irish firms that are looking to scale often find that appropriate finance is not readily available.
In July 2025, my Department published the Report ‘Market Demand for and Supply of Scaling Finance in Ireland’, which identified a €1.1 billion funding gap for deals starting from €3 million and Series A+ rounds over the next 3–5 years. To address these and broader challenges, my department is working to develop policy actions that will enhance the finance for scaling ecosystem in Ireland and help narrow the funding gap for scale-ups. This work is aligned with commitments outlined in the Programme for Government and supports specific actions set out in the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity.
I will continue to work with my Department and the enterprise agencies to ensure that policies and supports remain aligned to the needs of scaling firms.