Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very much a historic honour to be standing here in front of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation. As an arts graduate in history and French from UCG, now NUIG, it is very awe-inspiring. Though it is a unique occasion, it is one that has brought a lot of joy.

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy English, especially as his portfolio concerns employment affairs and retail businesses. It is very important to see retail businesses in there. I very much support this immediate request - and it is immediate, because Microfinance Ireland is fully subscribed at the moment.

Businesses are waiting to hear back from us and see the amendments we are going to make. They cannot currently access any funds. It is great to see that this is the second legislative item to come before the Seanad that deals with small businesses with under ten employees and less than €2 million in annual turnover. It is great to see the Government is bringing before Members legislation that will have an impact as soon as possible on those enterprises because in my native region of counties Roscommon and Galway, within the towns in County Roscommon of about 6,000 people, as well as in Ballinasloe, they are the backbone of our communities. These businesses are what keep life going in our areas. As they keep employment in our areas and are able to offer jobs, I very much support this. I am glad to note that 80% of activity is happening outside of urban areas. I also am glad to note the funds involved and while the average supports coming through have been mentioned here, businesses can apply for up to €50,000.

On the feedback, only a few weeks ago when I was still a Galway county councillor, I walked around all of the businesses in Ballinasloe and asked if they had looked at or applied for the restart fund. Some had not. Some had not been aware of it, some were not sure that it applied to them. As a lot of this has to do with communication, I ask that this be advertised, communicated and promoted through the local enterprise offices, both in print and via social media and that this should happen continuously for the next number of months. As a councillor, I linked in very closely with the local enterprise offices, which engage closely with Enterprise Ireland. As a lot of Members have stated, the local enterprise offices have been swamped with the trading online voucher. While the Fine Gael-led caretaker Government increased the funds available for the trading online voucher, local enterprise offices do not have sufficient resources at present and I am concerned about how they will respond to the need that will arise over the next six months. It is crucial that Enterprise Ireland, along with local enterprise offices and local authorities are providing supports in the form of resources. The approval rate for these microfinance business loans also was mentioned. My job prior to this was in Health Innovation Hub Ireland within NUIG. I worked with start-up companies in the health sector to mentor and guide them and to support them in doing pilots in healthcare settings. It is very important that we are able to support these businesses to develop business plans because they have to adapt and to innovate now more than ever.

When I was walking around I spoke with a hairdresser I knew. I believe she has had to spend over €10,000 to redo her work environment.It cost her €10,000 to put in the plastic screens, move sinks around and do everything that needs to be done to innovate and adapt. Many other businesses have changed how they are operating, such as craft breweries that have taken on making hand sanitiser and so on. It is very important that we are there to support them in innovating and adapting. How are we going to do that? How are we going to support those businesses to develop strong business plans to access finance? Could that support be provided within local enterprise offices, LEOs?

Senator D'Arcy mentioned the extension of the waiver, which may be part of the July stimulus plan. We very much support expanding that, particularly for the businesses in the area. Much of the feedback from businesses said they will not be up and running properly for the next number of months. I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak and look forward to working with the Minister of State on this matter.