Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland, SBCI, scheme, traditionally this has been oversubscribed. In most instances funds are drawn down within days. I learned from Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment officials at a recent meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts that there is undersubscription with regard to some of the loan schemes operated by that Department. Has the Minister engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with regard to the transfer of unused liquidity in the microfinance scheme to the agricultural sector? If not, will he do so? The record of SBCI is impressive in terms of repayment rates, which are among the highest within the agriculture sector. This illustrates a low-risk profile and a good investment on the part of the State. While the increased capital is welcome, it still falls short of the 2020 allocation. We could, perhaps, meet what is a clear demand here through the transfer of funding from other undersubscribed schemes. Have there been any efforts in that regard as of yet?