Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the impact of Brexit on the public and private sectors with a view to addressing any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11623/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department continues to monitor and respond to the impact of Brexit, in particular the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Successive budgets since the UK referendum on EU membership have seen around €1 billion committed to preparing for Brexit, including supports to business and the agri-food sector, as well as for the infrastructure required at our ports and airports to maintain the flow of east west trade.
At an EU level, the Union’s response includes the Brexit Adjustment Reserve which has a value of €5.47 billion. The objective of the Reserve is to provide support to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
I am pleased to say that Ireland has been allocated €1.165 billion in current prices from the Reserve. This represents 21% of the total value of the Reserve, the largest allocation for any Member State. Areas for support are likely to include enterprise supports; measures to support fisheries and coastal communities; targeted supports for the agri-food sector; reskilling and retraining; and checks and controls at our ports and airports.
