Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I wish to refer to the BES scheme. Having established my company with my co-founder, Ms Connie Doody, 17 years ago, we could not have grown the business without access to BES funds. I am delighted the Minister has extended that scheme for the next three years. People find it much easier and more lucrative to invest their money in property but, with the extension of the BES scheme for a further three years, the guarantees and tax relief it provides for investors are very attractive. The upper limit has been increased from €750,000 to €1 million. Young companies will have the assurance that funds will be available up to that level over the next three years.