Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Progress Update: Discussion with Microfinance Ireland

2:55 pm

Ms Adrienne Murray:

No, we are very solution-focused. We look at the cashflow model of the business and in some cases have given what are called moratoriums. In terms of building a relationship with the customer, at the very least, we are talking about a small loan and we would look for an interest. That consolidates the relationship. Some of these businesses are seasonable and their cashflow would be based around that model so we will try to tailor a solution in terms of the repayment schedule. As I said, we will do up to three years for working capital or cashflow. If it is an equipment loan, in line with standards, we would go up over five years. In respect of small loans of up to €5,000, given that the back-to-work allowance is for two years, we will tailor the loan to two years. It is in conjunction with the repayment capacity of the people with those small loans.