Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend and welcome these initiatives by the Leader programmes and by Enterprise Ireland in the small business sector. However, there seems to be an issue in getting people to draw down funding from Microfinance Ireland, although I acknowledge it takes time to become familiar with such initiatives. This is the case with the temporary partial credit guarantee scheme. The message does seem to be getting across to potential enterprises that it is all right to try and to fail and to try again. I refer to the Cork Foundation which has raised funds and it is not as bureaucratic as some Government initiatives. People who want to start up a business tell us they find it difficult to access help. It seems we are all so involved that we do not see that the information is not getting out to those who need it. On a recent visit to Brussels we were complimented about the great work of this Department and its civil servants. It is important to acknowledge the good work which is being done. Ireland draws down more EU funding than any other EU member state.