Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
174. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current scaling-up supports in place for domestic companies; any additional measures being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45480/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through Enterprise Ireland, plays a central role in supporting the scaling of indigenous Irish enterprises, with a strong focus on export growth, productivity and international competitiveness.
A comprehensive range of supports is already in place for companies at all stages of their scaling journey. These include financial supports such as grants for research, development and innovation, as well as equity investment and access to venture capital through Enterprise Ireland and its Seed and Venture Capital Schemes. Targeted initiatives, including the Agile Innovation Fund, also assist companies to respond to market opportunities and expand their operations.
In addition, Enterprise Ireland provides strategic advisory supports through dedicated client advisors, alongside leadership and management development programmes such as Leadership 4 Growth and Scaling for International Growth. Supports are also available to enhance productivity and competitiveness, including lean initiatives, digitalisation supports and assistance to adopt new technologies.
To support international scaling, Enterprise Ireland offers extensive export and market development assistance through its global office network, trade missions and in-market expertise. It also promotes innovation and collaboration through engagement with research centres and partnerships.
In terms of investment, Enterprise Ireland invested almost €50 million in 275 firms in 2025, an increase of approximately 14 per cent on the previous year, with these firms raising over €250 million in total investment. A new multi-stage investment strategy enables greater support for scaling companies.
Looking ahead, my Department announced a €250 million Seed and Venture Capital Scheme for 2025 to 2029, representing a 42 per cent increase on the previous cycle.
My Department is also currently exploring longer term policy measures that will incentivise institutional investor participation in the financing of scaling Irish enterprise. This is a priority action of the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity and is necessary to support the development of a self-sustaining venture capital market that provides adequate scaling finance to domestic firms.
In this context, officials in my Department are examining the barriers that currently constrain investment by pension funds and other institutional investors and are exploring concrete and targeted policy actions to address those issues. In parallel, my Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders and reviewing international initiatives that have successfully unlocked institutional investment in enterprise growth, with a view to informing policy development in the Irish context.
Further initiatives include the work of the Halo Business Angel Network and Enterprise Ireland’s Scaling Finance team, which supports companies in accessing international investors. In addition, Enterprise Ireland is developing a new flagship scaling programme, Atlas, to strengthen leadership, governance and long-term growth capability in ambitious Irish firms.
This Government will continue to build on this strong suite of supports to ensure Irish companies can scale successfully and compete globally.
