Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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162. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of proposals for the provision of finance to small and medium enterprises from the European Investment Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41412/15]

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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164. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of proposals for the provision of finance to small and medium enterprises from the European Investment Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41575/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 164 together.

The Action Plan for Jobs 2015 contains a commitment to increase engagement with the EIF in developing and implementing mechanisms designed to maximise the provision of enhanced financing to SMEs.

I understand that the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation as the lead Department responsible for the Action Plan for Jobs (and supported by the Department of Finance, the SBCI and Enterprise Ireland) will shortly bring forward committee stage amendments to the Credit Guarantee (amendment) Bill 2015 which it is hoped will enable Ireland to increase its access to EIF risk sharing initiatives.

More broadly, the Government remains committed to the SME sector and the Department of Finance, working with the other relevant Departments and Agencies, will continue to monitor the availability of both bank and non-bank credit with a view to taking appropriate actions as warranted to ensure that SMEs in Ireland have the opportunity to reach their full potential in terms of growth and employment generation.