Tag Archives: Minister Pat Breen

Farmers in County Clare are to get €1,402,129 in final instalments of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments. The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has confirmed that, following the recent definitive allocation of entitlements by his department, the final instalment of payments under the 2015 BPS and Greening for farmers in Clare begin this week. Commenting on this, Minister for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen, said, “The rollout brings the total amount paid under the Basic Payment Scheme to €1.2 billion and over 126,000 farmers across Ireland have received payment to date. “Taken together with payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, this represents a total of over €1.4 billion in direct payments to farmers since last September. “This is a very significant financial boost for farmers in Clare. It’s also very good news for the rural economy in Clare and will have a knock-on effect on many local businesses.” Minister Breen said investing in our rural economies and …

THE importance of collaboration among enterprises was one of the main points spelled out at the launch of the 2016 FBD Clare Business Excellence Awards. A large attendance of business people from around the county, including past finalists, attended the formal launch of the awards by Minister of State for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen in the Temple Gate Hotel. To address the issue of access to credit for small businesses, Deputy Breen took the opportunity to highlight the work of the Credit Review Office and also to make an announcement in relation to Microfinance Ireland. As and from July 1, the microfinance lending rate for businesses will be reduced from its current rate of 8.8% to 7.8%, with an additional 1% reduction for client businesses of a Local Enterprise Office, including Clare. Deputy Breen also stated his commitment to the Advisory Group for Small Business, for which he is the chair. He referred to the fact that the group has …