Microfinance Ireland Microenterprise Loan Fund Scheme Report Q4 2025 (Microfinance Ireland)

Summary

• Since its start, Microfinance Ireland has received 13,362 applications and approved loans worth €105M, an approval rate of 46%.p.2
• 5,461 loans worth €93.3M have been drawn, with an average loan size of €16.9K.p.2
• Year to date 2025, the fund received 1,435 applications and approved €12.2M of loans, with an approval rate of 37%.p.3
• Loans supported 1,004 jobs in 511 micro-enterprises, and 51% of approvals went to start-ups.p.3
• In Q4 2025 the fund received 357 applications and approved €3.1M of loans, with an approval rate of 38%.p.3
• The application experience rating increased from 7.7 in 2024 to 8.1 in 2025.p.4
• Year to date loans to businesses located outside of Dublin accounted for c. 78% of all loans.p.5

Key insights

1. The fund has supported 12,071 net jobs in 6,105 micro-enterprises.p.2
2. 82% of approvals were granted to businesses employing 3 people or fewer.p.2
3. There have been 51 appeals in 2025 and 10 of these cases have been approved on appeal.p.16
4. During 2025, 47 businesses of the fund's borrowers have failed, and 6 complaints have been received.p.16