Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have noticed Bord Bia’s involvement with LEOs. We find that LEOs are very strapped for funding. Does Bord Bia support LEOs in this programme with respect to funding? Mentoring of small companies and start-ups is a crucial area. Sometimes the LEOs themselves do not have the expertise, particularly in the food sector. Is Bord Bia actively supporting start-ups through the use of mentoring?

I always welcome the fact that sources of finance other than banks are available to start-ups. Many start-ups have difficulty in accessing finance because they have no track history. The venture capital side of things is, therefore, interesting. The percentage of women being supported was not mentioned in the Kernel Capital presentation and I would appreciate that information. What other sources of finance can start-ups access? It is one question we are asking small businesses. We are trying to explain to them what is available, but they also like to hear it directly from companies that are involved in that.

Is it Ms Bentley who is wearing an Origin Green badge? Could she send badges around to all the Deputies?