ISME calls for third loan plan

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has called on the Government to put pressure on the banks to introduce…

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has called on the Government to put pressure on the banks to introduce a third "soft loan" scheme for small businesses. ISME chief executive, Mr Frank Mulcahy, stressed yesterday that the two previous loan schemes had been very successful in terms of creating new jobs and supporting small firms. "The provision of a sustained low interest rate regime had allowed firms to expand with a welcome degree of certainty. It has resulted in the sector creating four new jobs for every one created by large firms," Mr Mulcahy said. He also urged the banks to improve their services to the small business sector.