Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise a couple of points one of which the representatives touched on in their presentations, that is, the cost of funding which SMEs have raised with me. Based on the figures presented, some 83% of people who make application for money get money but the problem is that the cost of it is becoming prohibitive. In terms of the new banking entity, is that one of the conditions that will be raised by the representatives? It was mentioned earlier that funding is being provided to banks. Could that funding be provided at a lower rate than is being provided by themselves because SMEs are squeezed on all the margins?

An objective of the Action Plan for Jobs is a portal for SMEs whereby SMEs, entrepreneurs or people seeking finance can click on something and see what is available. We have been asking about this for the past two years but nothing has happened on it. If it is lost in the Department of the Taoiseach somebody should pull it out because it is vital that it happens. There are many products available for SMEs but they do not know where to go for them. The one portal would help them.