Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
399. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way his Department is working to promote trade and investment opportunities that could benefit businesses and exporters in Galway East; if any targeted initiatives are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38311/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, through Enterprise Ireland (EI), supports Irish companies to grow their business and secure new opportunities across the globe.
As an open and globally connected economy, Ireland is deeply integrated into international supply chains. Enterprise Ireland is supporting the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification through targeted financial supports, client advisory services and an expanded international footprint, helping Irish companies to broaden their export base and access high-growth overseas markets as part of a long-term, strategic approach to international growth.
As part of this approach, Enterprise Ireland introduced two enhanced export development grants in 2025. The Market Research Grant provides up to €35,000 to support in-depth market research and informed strategic decision-making, while the New Markets Validation Grant, offering up to €150,000, enables companies to validate entry into one or two priority new markets and de-risk international expansion. Between August 2025 and April 2026, 27 Market Research Grant applications were approved with a further 38 applications currently going through the approval process.
Over the same period, 49 New Markets Validation Grant applications were approved, and there is a pipeline of 72 additional applications currently progressing through assessment. These supports are delivered through Enterprise Ireland’s Client Advisor network and demonstrate strong and sustained levels of client engagement with market diversification activity.
Market diversification is further supported through Enterprise Ireland’s global network of 42 international offices, which provide on-the-ground assistance and access to new customers and ecosystems. Recent developments include the opening of offices in Atlanta, supporting FinTech and high-growth technology sectors; Glasgow, which focuses on offshore wind, energy, infrastructure and digital technologies; and Zurich, which provides access to advanced life sciences markets, particularly in MedTech and pharmaceuticals.
Enterprise Ireland is also advancing a whole-of-Government approach overseas through the expansion of the Ireland House model, co-locating with other State agencies to maximise impact for clients. Ongoing one-to-one engagement with client companies, informed by overseas market intelligence and sectoral expertise, remains central to Enterprise Ireland’s strategy to build resilience and support sustainable export growth across a wider range of international markets.
These wide-ranging supports can deliver tangible benefits for businesses in Galway East by enabling locally based enterprises to undertake detailed market research and confidently enter new international markets, helping to diversify revenue streams, reduce reliance on existing markets, and support sustainable job creation and business growth in the region.
