Business & Finance

South east entrepreneurs to benefit from €3m investment

Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) and Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow) have jointly secured €3m from Enterprise Ireland to operate the New Frontiers entrepreneur development programme in the south east over the next five years. The New Frontiers programme is for potential entrepreneurs who have an innovative business idea or an innovative technology that has the potential to be developed into a scalable, highpotential start-up company. The Enterprise Ireland funding will allow the two institutes – which are working together to create a technological university for the south east –to work with over 400 early-stage entrepreneurs over the five-year funding period, with 95 of the high-potential entrepreneurs receiving a payment of €15,000 each to participate in New Frontiers. The programme, to be delivered at the ArcLabs innovation hub in Waterford and the ERIC incubation hub in Carlow, is now taking applications from entrepreneurs and innovative business start-ups. This intensive training and support programme also includes desk space, mentoring, business master classes and networking. Commenting on behalf of Enterprise Ireland, Brian Fives Senior Regional Development Executive said, “Enterprise Ireland is proud to offer such a critically important-programme like New Frontiers which will be delivered by IT Carlow and WIT. New Frontiers is Enterprise Ireland’s national entrepreneurial development programme and by combining practical advice, mentorship, and funding, it can help reduce the risk and dramatically increase the chances of success, for aspiring start-up entrepreneurs. We are delighted to announce the approval of €3m in funding for IT Carlow and Waterford IT to deliver this programme over the next five years.”

Gemma Purcell, the New Frontiers Programme Manager at Institute of Technology Carlow and New Frontiers Programme Manager at Waterford Institute of Technology, Eugene Crehan.

New Frontiers Programme Manager at Waterford Institute of Technology, Eugene Crehan, explains who the programme is for. “The New Frontiers programme is designed to help ambitious individuals bring their business idea from concept to successful startup. Recent participants have gone on to attract significant funding after New Frontiers: Immersive VR Education raised €6.7m on the London and Dublin Stock Exchanges in 2018 and recently closed a €9m funding round, while OmniSpirant Ltd received €9.4m in the Disruptive Technologies Fund 2020. Having strong, innovative, regionally-based export companies is vital to balanced economic development and creating high value jobs into the future. Through this partnership, The South East New Frontiers Programme provides a critical platform to support entrepreneurs, talent, innovation and investment in the region.”

Gemma Purcell, the New Frontiers Programme Manager at Institute of Technology Carlow, said: “We are delighted to continue supporting entrepreneurship and innovation across the south-east region through the New Frontiers programme. IT Carlow has been delivering such programmes since 2007 and has already been responsible for the creation of numerous successful enterprises in the region such as MicroGen Biotech and Seed Golf, both international sucess stories. MicroGen Biotech raised $5.1m in Series A funding and has been selected as a finalist of the 2021 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year competition. Seed Golf has customers in 34 countries and is currently raising €1 million through crowdfunding and direct investment.”

Websites:

www.wit.ie/newfrontiers

https://www.itcarlow.ie/industry-innovation/sme-entrepreneurial-supports/new-frontiers-programme.htm

World class standards in Wexford

Organisations across Ireland, from the private, public and SME sectors have been recognised by the NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) for their achievement in becoming certified to world class business Standards so far in 2021.

The list includes Wexford based organisations:

Department of Housing, Local Government: I.S. EN ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management. Glanbia Ireland DAC: I.S. ISO 50001:2018 - Energy management systems. Inish Pebble Company: I.S. EN ISO 9001:2015 - Quality Management. Kare Plus: I.S. EN ISO 9001:2015 - Quality Management. M&T Plant Hire Ltd: I.S. EN ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management. O'Brien Cement: I.S. EN ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management. I.S. ISO 45001:2018 - Occupational health and safety management. WCDAS Ltd: I.S. EN ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management. I.S. ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management. Wexford County Council: ISO 50001:2018 - Energy management systems. All the businesses and bodies that achieved certification were independently audited by NSAI Auditors to ensure they complied with the International Standards.

They join an elite group of over 4,000 organisations who are currently NSAIcertified in a variety of areas such as Quality Management, Environmental Management, Occupational Health and Safety Management and Energy Management. The organisations have been recognised for their achievements by the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English who said, “Across Ireland, businesses and public bodies are enjoying the benefits of certification to International Standards.

“I want to congratulate every organisation for achieving certification, which will pay huge dividends in terms of improved efficiency, productivity and customer satisfaction.

NSAI Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin said, “Certification can grow an organisation’s knowledge and skills across a wide range of areas, boosting efficiency and helping to mitigate risk. “I am delighted to see the high level of commitment shown by the companies and organisations who have been certified. I want to acknowledge the huge effort, particularly this year, when many of our audits had to be conducted online.”

For further information: Visit NSAI.ie or follow on Twitter @NSAI_Standards n

Despite the challenges facing the tourism and hospitality industry for the past 16 months, the hotels in County Wexford are recording the highest occupancy levels in Ireland.

County Wexford boasts an incredible 95% occupancy rate in the most recent Irish Hotels Federation Occupancy Survey Report, and as at 30th July was reporting 84% occupancy for August and almost 50% occupancy already for September.

"We're incredibly proud of the results that we've seen this season after a difficult year," says Visit Wexford chairman Paul Finegan. "It is a testament to all of the very hard work put in by those in the tourism and hospitality industry in Wexford and also the support given by Wexford County Council. Everyone has done their best to ensure that holidaymakers can enjoy a break in Wexford safely, and we are delighted to see that the huge effort is paying off." The positive tourism vibes can be witnessed across the whole county with many new and innovative tourism experiences popping up, as well as existing businesses adapting and introducing new elements to improve safety and overall visitor experience.

Visit Wexford has seen many tourism and hospitality businesses scaling up in the past few months with the increased demand and are delighted with the addition of new businesses opening their doors for the first time.

Download the Visit Wexford app now and start planning your adventure in Wexford today!

VisitWexford.ie

County Wexford leads the way with 95% hotel occupancy

Byrne welcomes Brexit report

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has welcomed the recommendations made by the Seanad Special Select Committee on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU in its Interim Report published on 8th July. The Committee of twelve people, of which Senator Byrne is the only Wexford member, was established to consider the potential consequences of the decision and the implications for Ireland. Central to the work of the Committee was the impact of the December 2020 Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK on various sectors of society. The report makes 53 recommendations across the areas of trade and customs, infrastructure, rules of origin, the protocol, citizens’ rights among other areas. Some of the key recommendations:  The Protocol on Ireland and Northern

Ireland: In light of the significant opposition by some politicians and groups in Northern Ireland to the Northern Ireland Protocol, the Committee recommends that the Irish Government and the European Union begin preparations immediately for the upcoming vote in

Northern Ireland, through the consent mechanism of the Withdrawal Agreement, on the continuation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

 Rules of Origin: The Committee is of the view that a more flexible interpretation of the rules of origin is needed in order to protect cross border supply chains on the island of Ireland where products of mixed origin with components from Northern Ireland and Ireland want to maintain EU and Irish status. The Committee notes in particular the difficulty being experienced by Irish milk products producers where milk from Northern Ireland is being used in Irish milk products.  Trade and Customs: The Committee recommends a review of the paperwork required for customs and ports to ensure duplication is avoided. In addition, the Committee recommends an immediate move towards the digitisation of paperwork be implemented to include automation where possible to ensure speed and efficiency is maintained at ports.  Citizens’ Rights: Following Brexit, the

Senator Malcolm Byrne

rights of citizens in Northern Ireland have been severely impacted and the

Committee agrees that this policy area is becoming more complex as the implications emerge. The Committee notes that some of the rights protected under Article 2 of the Protocol are not being upheld and recommends that a public consultation be conducted without delay to ascertain the full level of impact on the daily lives of those living in Northern Ireland. Such a public consultation would be fundamental in informing future policy decisions. Senator Byrne commented, “We engaged with Rosslare Europort and haulage companies and the effects on our freight traffic. But we also considered the impact of Brexit on so many other aspects of our lives – education and training and recognition of qualifications; managing data held in different jurisdictions; the impact on importing and exporting of food and drink, and, of course, the ongoing political ramifications.

“One big issue that I highlighted before has been the impact of Brexit on the price of certain goods, including flour, which is very significant for Co. Wexford, not just because of the bakeries located here but also planned development of a mill in the county. “Brexit continues to have profound implications for Wexford. I am very proud that I was able to ensure a very specific recommendation about Rosslare Europort as well as on digitising paperwork to speed up movement at the ports as well as looking for greater support for businesses negatively impacted by the Rules of Origin (including flour). “This report is obviously at a very sensitive time in EU/UK relations and particularly as there are serious concerns about the political situation in the North. It will be used to shape government policy in our continuing work in this area.

“The Committee sought to provide a platform for businesses, communities and civil society groups to discuss the impact of Brexit and the operation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The intention of the Committee was to provide an in-depth and detailed analysis of the issues impacting people and businesses on the island of Ireland. The Committee has, in this Interim Report, provided solutions-focused recommendations and looks forward to its return in the Autumn where it will re-commence its examination in order to produce its final report by the end of the year.” Specifically in relation to Rosslare, Senator Byrne says: “The Committee recommends the expansion of Rosslare Europort and the new direct routes from continental Europe and is of the view that, following the recent demand-led transformation of the port, the port continues to be developed and that further resources be allocated to facilitate further necessary routes/sailings. Further development of the port will alleviate pressure on Dublin Port and congestion on surrounding motorways such as the M50. To facilitate this expansion, the Committee recommends that the motorway and link road to Rosslare be completed without delay to improve connectivity with Rosslare port.” Senator Byrne aslo commented on speeding up times at ports and the need to move to a digitisation of paperwork. “The Committee acknowledges the increase in customs documentation as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. In light of this, the Committee recommends a review of the paperwork required for customs and ports to ensure duplication is avoided. In addition, the Committee recommends an immediate move towards the digitisation of paperwork be implemented to include automation where possible to ensure speed and efficiency is maintained at ports.” n