Seamus Brennan
Ceist:101 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade if he will ensure that the same percentage of the small business low interest rate funds, as was previously the case, is earmarked for tourism. [9127/95]
Written Answers. - Small Business Expansion Loan Scheme.
The small business expansion loan scheme announced in the 1994 budget made a £100 million loan fund available to small business in the manufacturing, tourism and internationally-traded sectors. Of this fund, £25 million was allocated for projects in the tourism sector and this was fully committed by September 1994.
In the event of a further small business loan scheme being available in 1995, I would strongly support the inclusion of the tourism sector on a similar basis to 1994. The introduction of such a general scheme is a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise and Employment.