Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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498. To ask the Minister for Finance whether the Government is considering a targeted liquidity loan scheme or tax deferral programme for viable small businesses under pressure from rising costs, particularly in the food, hospitality, and personal services sectors; and what the eligibility criteria for any such scheme would be. [44891/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland SBCI was established in 2014. The mission of the SBCI is to facilitate economic development by offering SMEs and other borrowers financial solutions that drive sustainability, growth and innovation.

Up to end of December 2024, the SBCI has delivered more than €4.4 billion to more than 62,000 SMEs.

Currently the SBCI are offering the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme to SMEs. The SBCI delivers the Scheme on behalf of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

This Scheme makes €500 million in loan funding available to enable investment in growth and sustainability. This scheme provides for loans of €25,000 to €3 million for terms of 7 to 10 years.

The Scheme is not sector-specific and is not primarily designed to address short-term cost challenges, it may nonetheless offer support to businesses seeking to strengthen their financial resilience.

Up to 25 August 2025 2,033 loans were approved- to the value of €458.60 million. Following approval, 1,787 loans were drawn down to the value of €360.50 million

In respect of the Deputy’s proposal for a tax deferral programme, it is worth noting that when considering proposals in respect of tax changes, the Government must be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer.

Revenue’s clear preference is to work with taxpayers experiencing temporary cash-flow difficulties and to identify and agree mutually acceptable payment solutions where possible, in preference to deploying enforcement actions and proceeding with debt collection proceedings. Revenue encourages taxpayers to engage early when payment difficulties arise.

Revenue has a strong track record of successfully working with individuals and businesses to resolve any payment difficulties.

Revenue’s track record in working and supporting business was very clearly demonstrated in 2024 with the closure of the Tax Debt Warehousing scheme where Revenue worked with businesses to agree flexible Phased Payment Arrangements (PPA) to meet their individual circumstances. This is testament to the pragmatic and flexible approach Revenue adopted in assisting businesses to exit the warehouse and that approach continues in a post-warehouse environment.

Revenue’s online PPA facility is an easy-to-use service for individuals or businesses who need to pay tax debt on a phased basis. For businesses availing of the PPA facility for amounts less than €50,000, the only requirement for supporting documentation at application stage is the submission of the online application form (ePPA1 form).

Since the pandemic, the PPA facility has enhanced flexibilities such as accepting reduced levels of down payments to commence the arrangement, and increasing the number of payment breaks and payment deferrals allowable during the payment arrangement where temporary cash flow difficulties arise.

Given that the financial circumstances of each business are unique, the degree of flexibility applied when agreeing a PPA, in terms of the duration and the level of downpayment required, will vary. At all times, Revenue must be satisfied that the terms of any proposed payment arrangement are realistic for the specific circumstances of the business. Given that the PPA facility is available to assist businesses to manage temporary payment difficulties, there must be strong evidence of underlying business viability.

In summary, any taxpayer experiencing temporary cashflow difficulties that impact on their ability to meet their tax obligations on a timely basis, including scheduled monthly payments, should engage with Revenue at the earliest opportunity.