Mr. Donal Leahy:

SCARP, as the Deputy knows, is quite new, so at this point the data is not in. We certainly have not seen take-up of any sort with Enterprise Ireland companies. Therefore, we are relying on the anecdotes and what we are hearing from companies at this point. What we are getting is that SCARP is being felt as a tool and is almost a negotiation tool to not get the SCARP. When dealing with creditors, companies that might need a bit of forbearance in order to get through a tough trading position are telling us that the fact that SCARP is there at all allows them a stronger negotiation position with their creditors, and it is useful from that point of view.

Time will tell how much of an uptake there is in respect of SCARP and the effect this will have on the market.