Government Publishes Update on White Paper

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD launched the Second Update Report on the White Paper on Enterprise Implementation Plan 2023-2024. The White Paper sets Ireland on a clear and ambitious path towards achieving a thriving, sustainable, and resilient economy, which will deliver high-quality employment across the country.

The vision of the White Paper builds on recognising the changes that are needed to prepare Irish enterprise for the challenges and the opportunities of the future.

The Report details the work undertaken to progress the 40 initiatives identified in the Implementation Plan in the second six months of 2023 and also provides an update on the 15 key target metrics identified in the White Paper.

Speaking about the Report, Minister Burke said:

“In particular, under the White Paper, we are working to support SMEs to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the twin Green and Digital transitions and saw in the last year the launch of the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme for SMEs, the establishment of four fully operational European Digital Innovation Hubs, and the completion of our Building Better Business conference series across the country during 2023.

“At the same time, we remain committed to helping Irish companies to fulfil their potential and grow, whether as exporters or locally-traded businesses, through targeted supports from our enterprise agencies and Local Enterprise Offices. Efforts also continue towards ensuring Ireland remains a world leading destination to invest and do business in.”

The 15 targets in the White Paper on Enterprise cover the Government’s ambitions across the areas of employment and seven identified priority policy objectives (listed below):

• integrating decarbonisation and net zero commitments;
• placing digital transformation at the heart of enterprise policy;
• advancing Ireland’s FDI and trade value proposition;
• strengthening the Irish-owned exporting sector;
• enabling locally trading sectors to thrive;
• stepping up enterprise innovation; and
• building on Ireland’s existing strengths and opportunities.

Progress on the Implementation Plan is overseen by the Cabinet Committee on the Economy and Investment and will continue to be reported on in biannual publications. The next Update Report detailing the progress made during the first half of 2024 will be developed and published later in the year.

Read the full report here.

If you have any questions on this or other topics, please contact SFA Public Affairs Lead, Jonathan McDade - jonathan.mcdade@sfa.ie