Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the SBCI scheme will open for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17256/26]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme (GSLS) is a €500 million long-term, low-cost loan scheme jointly developed by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The scheme is supported by the European Investment Bank Group (EIBG) through a counter-guarantee to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), which delivers the scheme through participating finance providers.

The GSLS offers loans of between €25,000 and €3 million, with terms of up to 10 years, to SMEs, farmers, fishers and small mid-cap and loans of up to €500,000 available unsecured. At least 30% of total lending is directed towards environmental sustainability and climate-action projects, with the balance supporting long-term productivity and competitiveness. Loans for eligible climate-related purposes also benefit from an additional interest-rate discount.

The scheme is scheduled to operate until 30 June 2026, or until it is fully subscribed, whichever occurs earlier.

Most lenders have now fully utilised their allocations under the scheme or have only limited capacity remaining. As a result, access to GSLS loans will depend on the availability of capacity with individual finance providers as the scheme approaches its end date.

Given the strong demand for the scheme, officials in my Department, working closely with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, are engaged in advanced and constructive negotiations with the SBCI and the European Investment Bank Group on options to increase the scheme’s capacity and extend its duration. My plan is to bring proposals to Government soon.

I remain committed to ensuring that Irish enterprises can access competitive, long-term finance options, and the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme continues to play a central role in delivering that support.