Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputy's frustration but there are issues that are not dealt with by my Department. The presentation of a stimulus package, whether it be PPPs, infrastructure funds or whatever, is not the responsibility of my Department.

The Deputy could table a question and receive a response from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The situation is similar with regard to impaired loans. I know the Financial Regulator is talking about setting targets for the small business sector in the same way as targets have been set for mortgage holders in terms of dealing with problem loans. However, responsibility for that lies with the Minister for Finance. I am not being obstructive; that is just the situation.

I agree we must be innovative in the way we create a stimulus. If we tot up all the access to funding schemes for SMEs the Government has put in place, that will amount to €2.5 billion. Much of that is now funded from the NPRF. In addition, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has a €2.25 billion stimulus scheme in place, through PPPs and other capital programmes and NAMA has indicated that it is investing €2 billion in its property folio. These are ways - off the balance sheet - for providing a stimulus and the Government is committed to creating opportunities for job creation.

The questions tabled, which I answered, related to the cost of schemes our Department has sponsored and I dealt with that.

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