Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive reply. He indicated that Microfinance Ireland processed 3,000 applications to the value of €19 million in loans. The average loan was €15,000. The approval rate, however, over the five years is less than 46% and that includes some applicants who were turned down originally and later approved. There is, therefore, a large gap for small businesses and young entrepreneurs that are struggling to get going. According to the regional breakdown, the west and north west have received a relatively small level of support. I acknowledge the Department is adopting a regional approach. In particular, is special support provided for women entrepreneurs given two thirds of the successful applicants were men?

Was there much uptake of the credit survey by the Credit Review Office? What feedback is the Minister of State getting? As he said when he visited our small business centre in Coolock, access to working capital is critical. The Minister has also made similar comments.

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