46 more firms supported by Microfinance Ireland

The number of micro-enterprises supported by the Government-backed emergency credit facility Microfinance Ireland has increased by just 46 in the past three months.

The fund — which is open to companies employing 10 people or fewer, with an annual turnover of less than €2m — was established in late 2012.

By its first anniversary last October, Microfinance Ireland had approved €1.62m in lending, supporting 107 firms and 237 jobs in the process, with individual loan amounts ranging in value from €2,000 to €25,000.