Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
234. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of applications made to the credit review office; the number that resulted in the credit review office recommending lending; the outcome from the banks in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69896/25]
View answerCredit Review was set up in 2010 to encourage and increase the supply of credit to viable SMEs, sole traders and farmers and help ensure the bank credit system is operating effectively for them. The Credit review is an effective and affordable review service for businesses who have credit facilities refused, reduced, or withdrawn and where the loan amount was between €1,000 and €3m. Current participating banks include AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB.
The Credit Reviewer has issued regular reports which contain details on the number of applications for review (appeal by borrowers against a bank’s credit decision). The reports can be found at: www.creditreview.ie
Borrowers are supported where the reviewer deems the business to be viable (able to meet debt repayments) or potentially viable. Where credit cannot be recommended at that point in time, a roadmap is provided for the borrowers to assist them in the steps required to become bankable in future.
Of cases completed since inception, 59 per cent were supported by Credit Review and the banks agreed to provide credit of €85.9m (or 78 per cent of the supported cases).
Details of the number of reviews (appeals) for the last three years:
APPLICATION NUMBERS
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Total Applications |
71 |
57 |
59 |
|
Eligible Cases |
55 |
51 |
50 |
|
Abandoned |
23 |
6 |
10 |
|
Withdrawn and Got Credit |
3 |
4 |
3 |
APPEAL OUTCOMES
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Total Appeals Completed |
45 |
47 |
46 |
|
Bank Upheld |
10 |
14 |
27 |
|
Borrower Supported |
35 |
33 |
19 |
|
SME Got Credit |
19 |
21 |
7 |
When the borrower is supported by Credit Review, the bank is asked to provide credit or explain why it will not (‘comply or explain’); Credit Review cannot compel banks to lend.
Where the Credit Review upholds a bank’s decision not to lend, it provides the borrower with a set of recommendations to address the weaknesses in the proposal.
