Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Interestingly, Mr. Moran claims €15 billion is needed. My question is not on the specifics of the range of supports but on what impact analysis has been done on their take-up. For example, when I look at the figures, I see the credit guarantee scheme has been in place since 2012 and had very little uptake preceding Covid. In addition, only 156 loans have been approved under the working capital scheme. I do not wish to find fault. I am asking how we can see where this money is going and whether it is going to the people most affected. Like every other Deputy, I am in constant receipt of representations from businesses in Galway city, as well as small restaurants and hotels in Connemara. The Covid-19 regional economic analysis points out that the north and north west are the most exposed when it comes to business.

I will leave the Minister a minute to respond if I can. Responses must be targeted at those most affected and the Government must have a way of analysing this. In respect of the regional authority for Galway city, of all cities, it is the worst affected while Clifden is in the middle ground of those affected. Could the Minister take the minute to look at what forum is there for the analysis of how they are taken up and how one learns to improve it?

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