Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before we conclude, I have a couple of questions of my own. First, today's session has been highly informative in respect of teasing through matters and we might make this an annual visit, if the witnesses have time in their schedule next year to do the same. However, I compliment the work Microfinance Ireland is doing. It is not the organisation's fault if the applications do not come in. While it can do everything possible to advertise itself and spread the word, it takes more than one year to get out that message. Nevertheless, it is important that Microfinance Ireland and the service it provides are in place. It is of key importance that people have an opportunity to approach it and hopefully to make an application. It is not the fault of Microfinance Ireland and if the information is not out there, so be it.

However, I have a couple of questions in this regard. There is a big difference between those being refused by the banks and those ending up at the witnesses' offices or at the Credit Review Office. Consequently, I believe the banks have a greater role to encourage people to approach Microfinance Ireland. Passing out the word alone might not be enough and giving people a small push might be required. Has an agreement been reached with the banks whereby they can voluntarily suggest people should approach Microfinance Ireland? Alternatively, do the witnesses want this to be an automatic process, whereby the banks send such applications to Microfinance Ireland automatically thereafter? I acknowledge that Microfinance Ireland cannot be in a position of offering loans to those who have not applied for them either and, consequently, there is a small issue in this regard.

As for spreading the word, I presume Microfinance Ireland has engaged with all the chambers of commerce? There are many groups in all counties delivering programmes, including mentoring programmes, start-your-own-business programmes and so on. Has Microfinance Ireland tapped into all the associated databases? Does it request that its information be sent out to all those concerned? Within the enterprise boards, start-your-own-business courses and all sorts of follow-on programmes are being conducted every night of the week and presumably that is the clientele that Microfinance Ireland is trying to reach. It should be facilitated in getting the word out because with eight employees, it cannot do everything. There is a duty on all State bodies and organisations, as well as private sector bodies, to pass on Microfinance Ireland's message. If the joint committee can help with so doing, it certainly will. As for the senior entrepreneurs, that is, those aged over 50, I presume Microfinance Ireland has also engaged with them.

On the applications it has received, has Microfinance Ireland received many initial contacts, via e-mail, questions or telephone calls, that have not proceeded with an application? Does Ms Murray have to hand figures on this because it would be interesting and would highlight whether there was a problem with the scheme? For example, the maximum amount of €25,000 may or may not be a deterrent. If it is, the joint committee really must consider the issue, as that is part of its function. While I gather that might not be the case, the only way to know is from the information gleaned from those who approach Microfinance Ireland but do not make an application. If these figures are high, there is a reason for that and it will be necessary to consider what is on offer. I will leave those comments with the witnesses.