Government plans €1bn SME boost

Tens of thousands of small businesses could be in line for a €1bn funding boost if the new Government makes good on its intentions.

Having signalled its intent to tackle the country’s persistent mortgage crisis with a range of measures aimed at alleviating the plight of homeowners, a new focus on SME lending looks likely to follow.

The discussion document that formed the basis of negotiations between the Independent Alliance and Fine Gael, and which has been seen by the Irish Examiner, outlines the need to make significant progress on credit availability for the country’s SMEs.