38. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for a progress update on the Government's efforts to assist start-ups become scale-ups; the policy actions being undertaken to deliver this; and the way in which progress is being measured. [66867/26]

My Department, through Enterprise Ireland, plays a central role in supporting indigenous Irish enterprises to scale, with a strong focus on increasing exports, improving productivity and strengthening international competitiveness.

A comprehensive suite of supports is available to companies at every stage 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 enable companies to respond to emerging market opportunities and expand their operations.

Alongside financial assistance, Enterprise Ireland provides strategic advisory support through dedicated client advisors and offers leadership and management development programmes, including Leadership 4 Growth and Scaling for International Growth. Companies can also access supports aimed at enhancing productivity and competitiveness, including lean initiatives, digitalisation supports and assistance with the adoption of new technologies.

Enterprise Ireland also provides extensive support to companies seeking to scale internationally through its global office network, trade missions and in-market expertise. In parallel, it promotes innovation and collaboration by facilitating engagement with research centres and supporting partnerships.

This comprehensive approach is underpinned by significant investment. In 2025, Enterprise Ireland invested almost €50 million in 275 firms, representing an increase of approximately 14 per cent on the previous year. Collectively, these firms raised over €250 million in total investment. A new multi-stage investment strategy also enables greater support to be provided to companies as they scale.

As part of the Government's wider efforts to support the creation and scaling of innovative Irish-owned enterprises, Enterprise Ireland is developing Startup Ireland, which will strengthen ecosystem coordination, improve founder access to finance, talent, mentoring and international markets, and deliver a new National Accelerator Programme.

I am keenly aware of the challenges companies face moving from start-up to scale-up and access to sufficient scale-up finance remains a significant constraint. A 2025 report by my Department identified a €1.1 billion funding gap for deals above €3 million and Series A and later-stage rounds over the next three to five years.

Addressing this challenge will require greater mobilisation of private institutional and retail investment. My Department is exploring longer-term policy measures to increase institutional investor participation in scaling finance. This is a priority action under the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity and is intended to support the development of a self-sustaining venture capital market that can provide adequate funding for Irish firms as they scale.

Encouraging greater levels of private investment also requires an attractive and competitive tax environment. To support this objective, an independent review of taxation measures affecting entrepreneurs, investors and scaling businesses has been commissioned, with a view to informing future policy options.