Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of the €2.5 billion sanctioned by Allied Irish Banks to lend to small and medium enterprises that was drawn down in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36999/10]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount that was sanctioned by Bank of Ireland to lend to small and medium enterprises in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37000/10]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Finance the percentage of the sanctioned 10% additional capacity for lending to small and medium enterprises committed to by Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland was drawn down in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37001/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 to 72, inclusive, together.

The following table outlines the lending of AIB and Bank of Ireland to SMEs in 2009.

In the subscription agreement, AIB and Bank of Ireland were tasked with making available 10% additional capacity for SME lending in 2009. The recapitalised banks stated that there were no constraints on lending to viable businesses. However, the 10% target did not result in the expected level of additional lending.

Thus, in the context of NAMA at the end of March, both AIB and Bank of Ireland produced credible lending plans for how they will lend €3bn per annum (covering the period April to April) to SMEs. I also established the Credit Review Office to ensure that AIB and Bank of Ireland would lend to viable businesses.

Mr. Trethowan has recently reported to the Department that both AIB and Bank of Ireland remain open for business and I would strongly encourage borrowers to use the Credit Review Office if they find this is not so.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of the promised €3 billion in lending to small and medium enterprises promised by Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland in 2010 has been drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37002/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that Mr. Trethowan and my Department receive monthly progress reports from the two banks which allow us to monitor their lending to viable businesses in all sectors of the economy and in every area of the country. This information is commercially sensitive. The banks have 12 months to reach their targets and the overall results of their activities will be published in due course.

In addition to the above, Mr. Trethowan's first quarterly report was of course published and I intend publishing his next report when it is received.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Finance the role of the Credit Review Office; the number of reviews it has carried out since its inception; the number of reviews that have upheld the banks decision. [37003/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Credit Review Office was established by SI 127 if 2010 with the intention of encouraging and increasing the supply of credit to viable borrowers (that is, borrowers who have the capacity to service their loans) for business purposes. One of the ways that it does this is by reviewing decisions of banks to refuse credit.

In his appearance before the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Innovation on 21 September, Mr Trethowan informed the Committee that "Approximately 20 applications have been sent to the office for review, of which we have dealt with about ten, of which five have been upheld."

These figures have not significantly changed since then.