Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are also concerned about Brexit. I remind the Deputy that extra staff have gone in from Enterprise Ireland. Further supports for these sectors were provided for in budget 2017, including the €150 million low-cost loan scheme that was launched on 31 January last, agri-taxation measures and the increase in funding under the rural development and seafood development programmes. A €150 million cashflow support loan scheme is available to farmers throughout Ireland a low interest rate of 2.95%. This loan scheme forms part of the three-pillar strategy in response to income volatility that was announced by the Minister as part of budget 2017. This scheme, along with tax measures and farm payments, will help to alleviate some of the pressures being caused by the recent market difficulties which have been compounded by the uncertainty around Brexit.

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