Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

We are aware of the importance of the small and medium-sized enterprise sector to job creation, etc. The Tánaiste and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have met with the banks in the past two weeks and will be meeting with them over the next week or so. Over the past week, three banks have announced funding programmes for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Deputy is correct that the fund from the European Investment Bank is €15 billion. We are expecting four of the banks, which are in discussion with the European Investment Bank, to announce packages in that line in the first quarter of 2009.

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