European Investment is Crucial

I welcome the publication by Chambers Ireland in Dublin today of a new guide regarding how companies can draw down funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

The European Investment Bank Smarter Business Guide” will make it easier for businesses to understand how they can access vital funding from the EIB.

As a Dublin MEP, funding for small businesses is an issue that I have campaigned on rigorously.  It is not only about obtaining funding from the EU but ensuring that small businesses are aware of it and can access such funds.  That is why I brought numerous leading small business associations and banking representative groupings to Luxembourg this year to meet with the top representatives from the EIB.

I arranged a meeting with Irish small business associations and numerous banks with the Vice President of the European Investment Bank and leading EIB officials to ensure that Ireland could drawdown these funds in as short a timeframe as possible. 400,000 people are employed by small and medium sized businesses in Dublin alone and these jobs must be protected.

I would like to congratulate Chambers Ireland on the publication of The Guide, a campaign which they championed.  Effective and clear communication regarding EU funding and how to access it is essential so that small businesses can avail of valuable EU funding.  The Smarter Guide provides details of sources of funding which may help small businesses through the current economic climate.

Supporting small and medium enterprises has been an key priority for me as an MEP for the past five years and if re-elected to the European Parliament I plan to continue to fight for funding in this area. Europe is critical to our economic recovery. 

The European Investment Bank has already signed off on a €300 million loan package for Irish SMEs with 3 Irish banks.  We must continue to stay at the heart of Europe.