Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2013
275. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will confirm that 60 new and additional posts have been created to date through the micro-enterprise loans fund; and if he will provide a breakdown of same on a county basis. [20105/13]
View answerMicrofinance Ireland (MFI) began operating in October 2012. For the period covering 1st October 2012 to 31st March 2013, 44 microenterprises have been supported resulting in a total of 116 full time equivalent jobs supported. Of these jobs supported 60 are in existing enterprises while the balance are new jobs. I note there has been a significant increase in March in applications and I look forward to continued interest in the facility as its availability becomes better known.
The analysis of the breakdown of approvals by county is on page 6 of MFI’s progress report detailing the first 6 months of its operation which is now available on my Department’s website enterprise.gov.ie and is also published on MFI’s website microfinanceireland.ie. It is my intention that reports of this nature will be published on a quarterly basis to ensure openness and transparency on the operation of this innovative scheme.
