Press release
Minister Damien English introduces COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme legislation to Dáil Éireann
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
Published on
Last updated on
Today the government introduced the Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill to the Dáil at second stage, an important step in bringing into effect the €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS). This will ensure the availability of loans of up to six years at a discounted rate with the State acting as guarantor for 80% of each individual loan. It is expected that overdrafts, term loans and working capital loans will be the predominant products within the COVID-19 CGS. It will initially be available through the participating finance providers in the current CGS; being AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank. An open call will be issued through the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland for other finance providers to join, subject to these providers meeting the eligibility criteria.
This Scheme will give confidence to small businesses by providing liquidity supports at a time when many need funding to re-engage with their suppliers and customers. It is the largest guarantee scheme for businesses in the history of the State and demonstrates the commitment of the government to helping Irish SMEs, small Mid-Caps (employing up to 500 employees) and primary producers.
Minister English stated that:
"The introduction of the Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill is an important step by Government and the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to assist businesses. This is a cornerstone support for businesses as part of the July Stimulus. The government has always had loan supports and grants available for businesses, especially for SMEs. However, we now must ramp up supports for businesses adversely affected by COVID-19.
"The COVID-19 CGS legislation, once passed, will ensure the availability of much needed liquidity for borrowers in the short to medium term and will help support and sustain the funding requirements of many small businesses in Ireland.
"Significantly the COVID-19 CGS legislation will extend lending supports to allow for small mid-cap enterprises, which employ up to 499 people, to be included. It is worth noting also that Primary producers (farmers and fishers) are included in this legislation and will be allowed to access the Credit Guarantee Scheme.
"The COVID-19 CGS will help keep businesses afloat, maintain and create employment levels, allow businesses to continue offering their services and products that keep the very fabric of communities throughout Ireland alive.
"More so than ever before we need businesses to survive, grow and thrive as the economy and society emerges from COVID-19. For the greater good, huge numbers of businesses closed to stave off the worst of this pandemic. Now, the government will step up to provide essential support to help get these businesses back on their feet."
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Dara Calleary TD stated:
"I welcome the inclusion of farmers and fishers in the new Credit Guarantee Scheme.
"As Ireland moves through the current public health emergency, I think it is important and prudent that we begin to prepare for what will hopefully be the recovery phase. It is crucial that we address the financial needs of all businesses, including those in the agri-food sector.
"Like many businesses, our farmers, fishers and food companies have played a vital role during the pandemic, keeping quality food and beverages supplied to all our customers, both in Ireland and internationally.
"The agri-food sector, encompassing all the many aspects of agriculture, seafood and forestry, play a vital role in our economy, and are especially important in rural and coastal areas.
"Therefore, it is crucial that we support them and all our businesses, as we look to future balanced growth across our economy."
The COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) has been designed to address the extraordinary impacts of the immediate and significant decrease in economic activity. This global, national and local shock to Irish businesses affects viable but vulnerable firms that operate and employ workers throughout every region of the State.
SMEs, primary producers and small Mid-Caps with employment up to 499 have an immediate and urgent need for liquidity in order to meet ongoing expenses and to prepare for a return to more normal economic trading conditions. A significant and ambitious credit guarantee scheme will assist lenders in providing liquidity to these companies and send a strong signal of support and confidence to both lenders and borrowers.
A loan guarantee scheme such the COVID-19 CGS leverages more of the State’s resources and is less costly than a grant-based scheme. It has the capacity to enable lenders to provide or to continue to provide urgently needed liquidity to SMEs, primary producers and small Mid-Caps, which in turn will sustain employment in vulnerable sectors throughout the country. It also leverages the knowledge and lending experience of lenders with respect to their customers.
The COVID-19 CGS will enable businesses to continue, or to return to, trading activity more quickly than would otherwise be the case and thereby assist economic recovery. It will facilitate the ongoing working capital requirements of affected businesses and assist their reintegration into supply chains both domestically and internationally.
The recommended features have been chosen with the objective of maximising the impact of the scheme for borrowers in the short to medium term and addressing their liquidity requirements.
The main features are as follows:
The new Scheme has been prepared in order to comply with the terms of the European Commission’s Temporary State Aid Framework.
In particular:
ENDS
The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The department has lead responsibility for Irish policy on global trade and inward investment and a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.
For further information please contact Press Office, D/Business, Enterprise and Innovation, press.office@dbei.gov.ie or (01) 631 2200.
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