2014

LEO Microfinance Loan helping business in Wicklow – Doyle

Andrew 2014, Dáil Éireann, Jobs Enterprise Innovation, Wicklow - East Carlow

LEO_PosFine Gael Andrew Doyle TD for Wicklow has welcomed the announcement of a collaboration between Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and Microfinance Ireland, designed to support small businesses across the country. The LEO Microfinance Loan will see credit on offer to small companies employing 10 people or less, at a reduced rate of interest.

“I welcome the introduction of the LEO Microfinance Loan, which could be extremely beneficial to sole traders, micro businesses and small companies in Wicklow.

“As part of our commitment to job creation, The Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) were introduced by Government to encourage job creation throughout the country. We are particularly fortunate in Wicklow to have a dedicated and innovative Local Enterprise Offices, led by Sheelagh Daly and her team. Measures like the LEO Microfinance Loan are a significant part of the Action Plan for Jobs, helping businesses to access credit. Companies previously refused credit by the banks may now be able to access the vital funds they need to purchase equipment, initiate new projects and employ extra staff. Small companies in need of credit can apply for loans of between €2,000 and €25,000.

“The LEOs are delivering an improved and more efficient system of local enterprise supports to start-ups and small businesses around the country. Microfinance Ireland is a not-for-profit lender, established to deliver the Government’s Microenterprise Loan Fund. There is a reduced interest rate for the new ‘LEO Microfinance’ loan product of 7.5% (7.8% APR), which is 1% lower than the standard loan rate of 8.5% (8.8% APR).

“We are all very cognisant of the fact that 2 out of every 3 jobs are created by small business. It is encouraging to see this collaboration between the two organisations, supporting small business and job creation around the country and Wicklow”, concluded Deputy Doyle.

Long term Investment in social housing improvements will benefit tenants and units in Wicklow – Doyle

Andrew 2014, Environment, Wicklow - East Carlow

Social Housing

Fine Gael TD Andrew Doyle] for Wicklow, has said that Government funding to improve the social housing stock in Wicklow will help towards improving the lives of social housing tenants. €403,628 will be allocated to local authorities for adaptations and extensions to social houses to meet the needs of tenants with a disability or to address serious overcrowding. In addition a further €130,074 allocated to local authorities for energy retrofitting works to social houses. This announcement is part of a €23 million national scheme to improve social housing.

Speaking on the allocations Andrew Doyle TD commented “While there are many aspects of social housing that need to be looked at and improved upon, this much needed funding is a welcomed addition to local authorities and will directly improve the quality of many social housing units in Wicklow and the improvement works will directly benefit the people living in these homes and will serve as a sensible long term investment in our social housing stock.

“Works will be carried out to adapt and extend social houses to meet needs of tenants with a disability or to address serious overcrowding. As social housing residents age some require adaptations and extensions to their homes in order to continue to live independently. As part of the programme of energy retrofitting social houses, there will be a particular focus on improving attic and wall insulation in homes which require it. This will result in improvements in the thermal efficiency of the homes and improved comfort levels all around.

“In addition there will also be an upgrading of the energy efficiency of local authority homes. This is part of a three year national jobs stimulus programme that will see the energy efficiency local authority homes improved. As a result for many local authority tenants will have warmer homes, with reduced fuel bills this winter.  The scheme will also support the creation of hundreds of jobs nationally in the green energy sector. This improves the situation for existing housing stock but there is a need to provide additional housing to meet the on-going demand for social, affordable and family units for the many families who are seeking to buy their own homes in Wicklow”, concluded Deputy Doyle.