Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2015
275. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he will provide in tabular form the number of applications received by the Microenterprise Loan Fund in each year since its establishment; the number of loans approved; the amount drawn down; the number of jobs supported by the fund; his plans for its future development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29832/15]
View answerTo give effect to the Microenterprise Loan Fund established by legislation in 2012 my Department set up Microfinance fund Ireland (MFI).
My Department publishes Microfinance Fund Ireland (MFI) quarterly progress reports on the Department’s website www.enterprise.gov.ie in respect of the Microenterprise Loan Fund Scheme. The progress report detailing drawdowns and approvals and the analysis and performance by region up to the quarterly period ending 31 March 2015 is now available on the Department’s website. I intend to publish the report for the period up to and including 30 June 2015, in the near future, once finalised.
The Deputy is aware of the review of the Microenterprise Loan Fund which was published in April 2015. This review contained a number of recommendations aimed at improving the operation and take up of microfinance in Ireland. The focus of MFI and my Department is ensuring that the recommendations contained in the review are implemented speedily. A new Scheme for the Microenterprise Loan Fund is being developed to give effect to the recommendations of the review and I propose to publish same shortly.
