Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I very much agree with what the Deputy said. In towns and villages throughout our country, there are small businesses that are even more important now than they normally would be. That is why the Government has put in place so many supports to help them. It is why we have the warehousing of tax liabilities and an employment wage subsidy scheme that is due to continue until the end of this year. It is why, when small businesses leave the Covid restrictions support scheme, many of them will receive a significant payment to help them with their reopening. It is for all these reasons that we are yet to see what the demand for borrowing might be. My view is that demand will develop, if it does develop, later in the cycle of recovery. Of course I will keep the issue under review but from the work the Central Bank is doing at the moment and from the work I see our banks doing, I believe all is being done to meet every credit need that is sustainable and affordable for businesses that are trying to reopen at the moment. I expect the demand for credit is yet to come.

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