04/05/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 4 May, the European Commission approved the extension, with a price tag of €10 million, of an Irish measure to support the restructuring of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in financial difficulties. It found the measure to be compliant with EU rules on state aid and, more specifically, the guidelines on rescue and restructuring. The original measure received the Commission's approval on 30 November of last year (see EUROPE 11916). The institution's decision means that the Irish authorities will be able to grant temporary restructuring support to the SMEs in question, in the form of loans. The financial, steel and coal sectors are, however, excluded from the scope of application of the measure. The regime will remain in force until 2020. (LT)