Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not agree that the uptake has been abysmal. It is important to remember the Brexit loan scheme, whether it is the working capital facility or the long-term loan scheme I launched last month, comprises loans which businesses have to repay. I can understand a natural reluctance on the part of some businesses to take on debt until the full details of the Brexit challenge become clearer. The loan scheme is in place so businesses can avail of it when they need it. I encourage them to put in their applications and have them ready in case they need this assistance.

I meet representatives of businesses regularly and I am particularly familiar with the mushroom sector. I was delighted that in preparing the region for Brexit, I prioritised a number of significant investments in the Border region. A sum of €5 million has been provided, for example, for a new bio-economy research centre in Monaghan, which has the potential to create 200 high-quality jobs. That relates to research in the mushroom industry and right across the food sector, and it is very important that this is in the area.

See this speech in context