Vol. 454 No. 4
60 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will review the decision to exclude restaurants from the small business expansion fund in view of this sector's contribution to the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10096/95]
As to why the restaurant sector was excluded from the previous small business expansion loans scheme, I would refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to this House to Question No. 168 on 31 January last. As the Deputy is aware, that scheme is now fully committed. In the event of a further small business loan scheme becoming available to the tourism sector, I will, as a matter of course, review the eligibiliy criteria for the sector, but it is clearly too early to say at this stage what the outcome of that review will be.
