Vol. 487 No. 4
27 Mr. Belton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received the report commissioned to review the access to finance schemes for small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4227/98]
41 Mr. McGahon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received the report commissioned to review the access to finance schemes for small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4228/98]
96 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received the report commissioned to review the access to finance schemes for small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4226/98]
97 Mr. Boylan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received the report commissioned to review the access to finance schemes for small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4225/98]
113 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received the report commissioned to review the access to finance schemes for small businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4335/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 41, 96, 97 and 113 together.
A review of the access to finance schemes was commissioned as part of the wider review of the operational programme for small business by the programme's monitoring committee. The review was presented to the monitoring committee at its meeting of 19 November 1997.
The review concluded that the scheme has generally been implemented effectively and efficiently and forecasts that it will contribute strongly to the objectives of increased viability of small business via the provision of low-cost finance, increased capacity to adapt to the Single Market and increased employment within small business.
The review found that over 1,400 small businesses availed of the scheme, drawing down all £208 million which was available by the end of 1996.
The review noted that over 9,000 new jobs are expected to result from the scheme and it stated that if the projected job creation figures are realised, this would render the scheme as offering high value for money from a public sector initiative perspective.
The review also presented comments with a view to guiding future policy in relation to public support in the area of small business finance. It recommended that primary quantitative research into the financing problems of small business be carried out ahead of any moves towards designing a future State support scheme. The review also recommended that funding be made available under the operational programme to finance such research.
The monitoring committee of the small business operational programme accepted the recommendations made in the review, including the recommendation that research on the financing problems of small business should be undertaken. The terms of reference for such research are currently being finalised and I hope to be in a position to commission the study shortly.
