Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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33. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the uptake of the Brexit loan scheme for businesses in the first two weeks since its launch on 28 March 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16173/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Brexit Loan Scheme provides affordable working capital to eligible businesses with up to 499 employees that are or will be Brexit impacted and meet the scheme criteria. The €23 million exchequer funding (€14 million from my Department and €9 million from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine) has been leveraged to provide a fund of up to €300 million. Participating finance providers are the Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank with Allied Irish Bank following in June.

The scheme features a two-stage application process. First, businesses must apply to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to confirm their eligibility for the scheme. This application process requires businesses to use guidelines provided on the SBCI website to determine if they are eligible, and if so, to complete the eligibility form. As part of the process, businesses must submit a business plan, demonstrating the means by which they intend to innovate, change or adapt to meet the challenges posed by Brexit. The SBCI assess the applications and successful applicants receive an eligibility reference number.

Successful applicants can then apply for a loan under the scheme with one of the participating finance providers.

The Brexit Loan Scheme is designed to assist Irish SMEs in the short-term to deal with the challenges of Brexit, which include the pressures of increased market instability and currency volatility. The scheme is available to businesses that are demonstrably exposed to negative impacts (or potential impacts) arising as a result of Brexit. Businesses must fully meet the eligibility requirements, which include being viable, having a business development strategy and demonstrable exposure to Brexit. The scheme is open to both State Agency clients and businesses that do not have any relationship with State Agencies. Sole traders may also apply.

The Scheme was launched on 28 March, and accordingly it is too early for businesses to have completed both application processes. Metrics detailing the uptake of the scheme will be available at the end of Quarter 2, 2018.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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34. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to minimise the impact of Brexit in County Donegal; the engagement she has had with the IDA to ensure it secures new investment in the county in view of Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16353/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I fully appreciate the importance of ensuring that businesses, including those located in Donegal, are best able to withstand the pressures that Brexit may exert. That is why, for example, additional financial resources have been provided to support the strategic response by our enterprise agencies, including IDA Ireland, to Brexit. The Government has also taken forward a number of well documented Brexit-related initiatives to help businesses prepare for the future.

Brexit, or more particularly the response to the challenges it presents, has been especially significant in shaping IDA Ireland's strategy and operations. This includes the Agency's approach to regional development, finance, planning, marketing and promotional activities.

I am very much conscious of the particular difficulties that Brexit could have for border counties and the need to offset those, wherever possible, with increased investment. With regard to Donegal, there are already 12 IDA Ireland client companies based in the County, employing nearly 3,400 people. The level of employment by multinationals in Donegal has actually increased by 52% since 2012 and the IDA is working hard, with both its existing client base there and prospective investors, to create even more jobs there.

While foreign direct investment (FDI) is important to jobs growth in Donegal and elsewhere, we need to remember that it forms only one part of our efforts to generate economic growth in regional locations. Indigenous enterprise also, of course, plays a crucial role in creating employment opportunities. In 2017, for example, 3,552 people were employed in Enterprise Ireland (EI) supported companies in Donegal. In the period from 2015-2017 EI also paid €4 million to client companies in the County to support them to innovate, improve competitiveness and to diversify their global footprint. Like the IDA, EI engages constantly with its clients in Donegal to help support their growth and potential expansion.

Other bodies are working as well to help enterprises in Donegal both grow and plan for Brexit. The Local Enterprise Offices and InterTrade Ireland, for example, are both active in the border area.