Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)

I did not get an answer. I specifically asked about "further plans to make available a new scheme or schemes to enable SMEs expand their current employment levels" and included PRSI holidays. There was no comment on that. If the answer is that there are no such plans I should be told that. I asked for the predictions for 12 months time. I am glad to see the figures but I have had them for a long time. I want to know the predictions.

I do not want to become angry but I want to know the new schemes the Minister will try in the coming months to sustain and increase jobs. I welcome the extra money for the enterprise boards, which will make up for the money they did not have during recent months, because they need it. I asked earlier if the professional advice would be made available to small businesses on credit management and invoicing. It has been done in the UK, it is a good idea and the Minister might look into it. We have mentioned programmes with the enterprise boards which do good work, which I compliment, but we need to add to these.

Can the Minister give me a commitment to look at making professional advice on credit available to businesses? It could be very helpful. I attended a meeting last week held by a bank where an action coach, similar to a mentor from an enterprise board, spoke to 50 businesses about credit management and how to get through the tough times. It was clear that most of the businesses learned a lot from that person who armed them with information. We need to see more of that. It is something the Government in the UK has acknowledged and implemented. If the Minister cannot give an answer today, she should commit to examining the matter and if it works we should introduce it here.

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