Exclusions

At Microfinance Ireland, we provide small business loan(s) to start-ups and established businesses in the Republic of Ireland.

There are a number of restricted sectors and/or Business Activities that we cannot support and these include:

1. 1. Any activity which is illegal under the laws of Ireland or international law
   2. The production of and trade in tobacco and related products
   3. The production of and trade in weapons and ammunition
   4. Casinos and equivalent gambling enterprises, including internet gambling, online casinos, etc.
   5. Sex trade and related infrastructure, services and media
   6. Activities which limit individual rights and freedoms or that violate human rights
   7. IT Sector Restrictions, including R&D and applications supporting activities in restricted sectors
   8. Life Science Sector Restrictions, including human cloning and Genetically Modified Organisms
   9. Activities involving live animals for experimental and scientific purposes
   10. Financial activities such as, inter alia, purchasing or trading in financial instruments
   11. Fossil fuel-based energy production and related activities including mining and exploration
   12. Energy-intensive and/or high CO2-emitting industries and sectors
   13. Investments in facilities for the disposal of waste in landfill
   14. Investments in mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plants
   15. Investments in incinerators for the treatment of waste
   16. Medical Cannabis and CBD Oil-Related Businesses
   17. Property speculation / Real estate/ Construction development related activities, such as an activity with a sole purpose of renovating and re-leasing (renting out) or re-selling existing buildings (either residential or business), as well as building new projects (either residential or business). This restriction also applies to any funding relating to “Buy to Let” properties.
   18. Applications to fund the purchase of road freight transport vehicles by persons or companies performing road freight transport for hire or reward must: (i) be supported by a formal decline letter/email from an Asset Finance Provider and (ii) with a maximum number of two tractor units or two lorries/trailers, within the business, on the date of application.
   19. MFI loan funds cannot be used to repay existing bank debt or historic Revenue debt.
   20. MFI is not permitted to provide any financial incentives for the installation of stand-alone boilers powered by fossil fuels. This encompasses the purchase, assembly and putting into operation a stand-alone boiler.
   21. MFI cannot lend to Companies Limited by Guarantee.
   22. MFI is permitted to fund formally discharged Bankrupts, and persons who have exited any Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA). We will require documentary evidence of this at Application Stage. However, please note that we do not lend to individuals entering a PIA or the bankruptcy process and cannot lend to any individual or associated business entity whilst that individual is in a PIA or bankruptcy process. If you are uncertain as to whether your business falls within the restrictions outlined above please contact us by email at info@microfinanceireland.ie or by phone at 01 260 1007.