Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I join previous speakers in commending Deputy Perry on tabling this important motion. If there is a glimmer of hope for the country in any quarter, it is in the SME sector. SMEs can help to bring the country out of recession, but they are under considerable pressure to survive. They are fearful. In a recent survey by the County and City Enterprise Boards, CEBs, 29% of businesses stated they were at risk of closure. This figure is worse in respect of smaller businesses, with 58% of those employing three or fewer employees indicating that they are at risk of folding in coming months. This is a frightening situation, but the Government has shown no sign of taking it seriously.

The banks' credit process is a significant problem. From speaking with many business people in my area, they have needed to go to and fro with paperwork many times. If the Minister is serious about getting money into the SME sector, it is time to give the banks guidelines so that they stop looking for issues and making the process more difficult and complicated. Every time business people return to banks at considerable cost to themselves, bank managers look for something else because head office has been on to them. It is time to take on the banks' head offices. They are driving people to despair. People are worried for themselves and their employees.

A large range of issues is involved. However, a great challenge is presenting some hope. For example, there are many opportunities in the food industry. As a nation, we have failed to market our products abroad. There is an opportunity to set up many small enterprises. Since there are more than 100,000 young graduates bursting to the brim with ideas for small business start-ups, the Minister will agree to our motion if he is serious about helping us and the many small businesses that are suffering and under significant pressure.

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