Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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294. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of applications received to the recently launched Brexit loan scheme by company size of less than ten, 11 to 49, 50 to 249 and more than 250 employees; the number of applications approved and not approved to date by firm size; and the number of loans granted to date. [22485/18]

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 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 initial 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 assesses these 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 using their eligibility reference number. Participating finance providers are the Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank with Allied Irish Bank following in June.  Approval of loans are subject to the finance providers own credit policies and procedures.  

The Scheme was launched on 28 March this year and metrics describing its uptake will be available at the end of Quarter 2, 2018.