Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am looking for more clarification on small shops. One of the biggest issues I have seen is the paper trail. I have been approached by shop owners in Carlow, Bagnelstown, Tullow and Hacketstown. This scheme is to be welcomed and it is very important for SMEs. Paper trails, timescale, how businesses access it and lack of information coming from Departments will be crucial. People can be put off if they constantly have to complete paperwork. Businesses that apply should not be left waiting for months with requests for further information. This has to be immediate cashflow to businesses.

In our lifetime we have never before seen businesses closed for months. Many jobs could be at stake. We need to ensure we get money to businesses as quickly as we can. We need to ensure we keep as many jobs going, particularly in towns like Carlow, Tullow, Bagnelstown and Hacketstown. We need to ensure we shop local and support our own. Following this, we need to put out a press release encouraging people to support their own, shop local and keep as many jobs as possible.

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