Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As I said, a total of €395 million has been allocated for the scheme. Senator Lombard has seen for himself the very low rate of claims for payments submitted so far amounting to €27.8 million, which is less than 10% of the full allocation. The reason for changing from three years to one year was to try to speed it up so that there would be a more real-time assessment. Until we get to that point it will be difficult to commit but it is intended that the money will be spent. In future, there may well be an opportunity to revise the scheme further.