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

As the Deputy knows, we have a wide range of supports in place across Departments and agencies to help businesses to prepare, but, ultimately, they have to decide for themselves whether they want or need to avail of these supports. In the case of the Brexit loan scheme, it is important to remember that it is a loan which, as the Deputy said, businesses have to pay back. Understandably, there is a natural reluctance on the part of businesses to take on debt until the full details of the Brexit challenge become clearer. It is important, however, that the loan scheme be in place in order that businesses can avail of it when needed. They should submit their applications regardless and have the loan approved in case they need to draw it down at a later stage. I engage with and meet businesses and their representative groups on a regular basis and have been getting positive feedback on the suite of supports in place. If Deputies have specific examples of companies that have been unable to access the Brexit loan scheme, I ask them to bring them to my attention in order that I can follow up on them. I have looked at the scheme and, as far as I can see, the process is transparent. I have not been made aware of any obstacle in either the process or under the scheme. However, if there is anything specific, I ask people to, please, bring it to my attention.

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