63. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the measures being introduced to help Irish SMEs and start-ups absorb skilled workers coming from tech layoffs, especially in regions outside Dublin where job opportunities may be more limited. [46179/26]

My Department is taking a coordinated, multi-faceted approach to ensure that SMEs and start-ups can absorb skilled workers, including those affected by recent tech layoffs.

The Department is reducing the cost of doing business and hiring through expanded grants, tax incentives, and improved access to finance, making it more viable for smaller firms to take on experienced workers. It is investing directly in indigenous enterprise through Enterprise Ireland supports for start-ups, scaling companies, and innovation, which is driving job creation across the economy, particularly outside Dublin. EI provides a comprehensive range of financial, advisory and capability-building supports to help companies expand and strengthen their workforce. These include supports to encourage innovation, digitalisation, and scaling, enabling firms to create high-value roles suitable for experienced professionals exiting the tech sector. Through financial supports such as the High Potential Start Up (HPSU) Founder Forum, RD&I fund and Key Manager grant, companies are supported to build strong teams, including attracting highly skilled and experienced staff.

A strong regional focus underpins this approach. Government policy is directing a greater share of investment and job creation to the regions, supported by enterprise clusters, infrastructure, and targeted IDA and Enterprise Ireland strategies, to ensure employment opportunities are more evenly distributed nationwide. Enterprise Ireland works through its network of regional offices to engage directly with enterprises across the country, identifying skills needs and supporting companies to compete effectively for talent. This is complemented by close collaboration with higher education institutions, and the Regional Skills Fora to align workforce supply with industry demand, particularly outside Dublin.

Government is strengthening the pipeline of skills through expanded upskilling and reskilling programmes through Skillnet Ireland while working alongside the enterprise agencies enabling workers impacted by layoffs to transition into new roles within SMEs. This is complemented by supports for digital transformation and innovation in smaller firms, which is increasing their demand for high-level technical skills. These coordinated efforts help facilitate the transition of skilled individuals into indigenous enterprises, including SMEs that may not traditionally have been able to access such talent.

Enterprise Ireland actively promotes entrepreneurship as a career path for displaced workers, with supports such as the New Frontiers Programme and the Pre-Seed Start Fund enabling individuals to establish new businesses, many of which are regionally based.

My Department is improving how businesses access these supports, including through a National Enterprise Hub, to ensure that firms can quickly avail of assistance and grow.

This Government is committed to strengthen the SME and start-up ecosystem so that it can naturally absorb skilled workers, while supporting balanced regional employment growth.