Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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141. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses that have availed of the Brexit loan scheme to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25987/18]

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.

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. Participating finance providers are the Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank with Allied Irish Bank following later this month. Approval of loans are subject to the finance providers own credit policies and procedures.

The scheme was launched on 28 March this year. Metrics detailing the uptake of the scheme will be available at the start of Quarter 3, 2018.

Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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142. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of businesses that have availed of the Brexit start planning vouchers to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25988/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of a range of supports offered to help businesses prepare for Brexit, InterTrade Ireland offers ‘Brexit Start to Plan’ vouchers valued at up to £2000/€2000. This funding helps companies access professional advice on specific issues such as tariffs; currency management; regulatory and customs issues; and movement of labour, good and services. InterTrade Ireland has reported strong demand for these vouchers, with 277 applications approved since the scheme launched in June 2017.