Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the response from the Minister. The delay in this funding getting approval is significant because when a small business is trying to raise finance, it needs certainty for those who might put money into the scheme. I am aware of one example in south Longford, which has the capacity to employ 30 people, Everyone's tax return is due at the end of October. People have to plan in terms of the cashflow required to discharge the tax liabilities. If they are considering investing in such schemes, they also need certainty to ensure the scheme is approved by Revenue. This is one of the points on which there are significant delays and many tax practitioners have raised the issue that there is a huge delay in getting approval for schemes. Small business is the lifeblood of our local economies. If investors cannot get approval for a significant scheme like this, it will be hampered. When we announce these schemes in the budget it is very important that they can be implemented and that investors can get relief in a timely manner.

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