Ms Fiona Kilcullen:

I apologise as my connection is not very good. In terms of supports assisted to small and medium enterprises, it is early days yet, so we will have reviews and evaluations in time. However, it would seem at this stage that a good array of supports - grants, loans and equity - have been popular and availed of across the different sectors.

In terms of Brexit, what occurred was that there was planning and preparation for Brexit and then firms with hit with the dual impact of Brexit and Covid. That was why the Brexit loan scheme was replaced was with the Brexit impact loan scheme, which provided for longer terms and some element of refinancing. When the Brexit journey started Covid was not on the horizon. We are seeing that, depending on sectors, some are availing of grants and then topping these up with a loan, be it either a Brexit or Covid loan, and others are looking to equity as well. It would seem at this stage that a combination of supports has been very helpful and there are sector-specific needs depending on the nature and size of the business, in terms of its exposure to Brexit.