Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I have a number of questions which the Minister can answer and then I will go back and forth if I need to. My first question is on subhead A14 and the future growth loan scheme. The Government is due to carry out a review of the Brexit loan scheme. As the future growth loan scheme operates alongside this, are there plans to review the future growth loan scheme? According to figures I obtained in reply to a parliamentary question in mid-November only 25% of the €300 million capital investment Brexit loan scheme for farmers and fishermen had been drawn down, with only 400 loans sanctioned. What has the review of the Brexit loan scheme thrown up? Has there been an increase in sanction and drawdown? Does the Minister feel it is fit for purpose? Is it easy and accessible enough for those who have need of it?

With regard to subhead B5, the programme for research in third level institutions, it is very welcome that we are putting additional resources into third level research, which is a critical part of what our third level institutions do. Is this the final allocation in cycle 5 of the programme for research in third level institutions? If not, how much remains to be delivered? Are there plans for a new cycle? The outline in brief lists the institutions benefiting from this additional resource. Many third level institutions are not benefiting from it. What process is there for institutions to avail of this funding?