Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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At many of our meetings with stakeholders, this issue has not been at the top of the agenda. If the Deputy has a list of companies in this situation - I have not met a large number of them - I will be happy to work with them and make a case. The Department of Finance, through the Minister, has said the initial design of the scheme was to get it approved, operational and out the door quickly so that people would receive funds before Christmas or the new year. There is scope there, if need be. With all the schemes we work with in the Department, we have to gather evidence and make case, and we are open to doing so.

On contingency funds, no one knows exactly where we will end up next year. For this reason, money has been into the budget should we need to extend schemes or design new schemes. There is an openness for us to make a case. That is what we do in our Department. We work with various sectors and try to move forward.