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Minister Humphreys announces €1.5 million in supports for Social Enterprises as she opens Ireland’s Fourth National Social Enterprise Conference

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, TD, has today (17th November 2022), announced almost €1.5 million in funding for 34 Social Enterprise projects nationwide.

 

Under the Scaling Up Fund, Social Enterprises will be supported in carrying out a number of capital projects, including the purchase of vehicles, as well as refurbishment and improvement works at their premises.

 

Among those being supported under this initiative are the Meals on Wheels, Community and Family facilities, Enterprise Centres and facilities that cater for young people and people with disabilities.

 

The Fund will also support a number of Social Enterprises in carrying out feasibility studies surrounding future projects.

 

Examples of the successful Social Enterprises include:

  • Spraoi Agus Spórt Family Centre, Co Donegal - €100,000: To fund a portacabin, which will allow for a permanent base to meet the needs of 40 children and young people with a disability. The portacabin will also provide office space for 3 staff members.
  • Hope for People with Autism, Co Limerick - €43,479: To fund the development of a café that will provide employment opportunities for people with autism.
  • Castlecomer Demesne Company, Co Kilkenny - €85,254: To fund the purchasing of harnessing equipment to support a high ropes course and to purchase Stand-Up Paddles, Wetsuits and a small changing cabin.
  • Clarecare Company, Co Clare - €47,108: Purchase of equipment for the development of the Connected Clare Café Network, including equipment for a new Wellness Centre.
  • Offaly Integrated Local Development Company, Co Offaly - €64,000: Purchase of two new electric vehicles to deliver the Meals on Wheels Programme.
  • MyMind Company, Co Dublin - €86,721: An electric vehicle that will be used to expand the outreach mental health support service nationwide.

 

Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said:

 

I am delighted to announce an investment of almost 1.5 million euro to support 34 Social Enterprises the length and breadth of the country.

 

“The Scaling-Up Fund will support these Social Enterprises to grow and develop their services, carry out capital works, purchase vehicles and other infrastructure projects.

 

“In Limerick for example, the funding we are providing will develop a café that will provide employment opportunities for people in Autism.

 

“In Wexford, the funding will support the installation of an 8 person disabled access lift. In Dublin, the investment will purchase an electric vehicle for a mental health service.

 

“This investment will be transformative.”

 

Minister Humphreys announced the successful projects during her keynote speech at the Fourth Annual Social Enterprise Conference in Dublin.

 

In her speech, Minister Humphreys praised the role that Social Enterprises play in their community, particularly amid recent challenges such as the Pandemic and Ukrainian crisis.

 

The Minister added:

 

Social Enterprises are so often on the front line for communities throughout the country, providing goods and services, supporting our vulnerable citizens, and creating jobs.

         

“I want to thank all Social Enterprises for your tremendous work in serving in serving your communities, addressing disadvantage and creating meaningful job opportunities over the past couple of years, in challenging circumstances.”

 

The Minister continued:

 

“The Social Enterprise sector is growing, and is playing an increasingly important role in supporting our transition to social and circular economy. But we have a duty to maintain that positive momentum.”

 

“We need to be ambitious about the future of this sector, which continues to experience growth and has significant potential to create jobs, and to continue to make a positive impact on society, the economy and the environment.”

 

The Conference brought together a wide range of national and international speakers representing the full spectrum of social enterprise activity in Ireland. Minister Heather Humphreys delivered the keynote address and reflected on the progress in implementing a new National Social Enterprise Policy.

 

Other key speakers at the conference included;

  • Richard Gavin, Rural Strategy and Social Enterprise Unit, Department of Rural and Community Development;
  • Michelle Licciardi, Social Innovator & Social/Enterprise Manager, Dublin South City Partnership;
  • Amal Chevreau, Policy Analyst, Social Economy and Innovation, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD);
  • Mario Vottero, Rethink Ireland;
  • Donal Traynor, Community Finance Ireland; and
  • Brigitte Fallahi – Brognaux, Head of Unit for Social and Inclusive Entrepreneurship, European Commission.

A list of recommended Social Enterprises under the Scaling-Up Fund for Social Enterprises are available in Appendix A and B.

 

Appendix A

Social Enterprises recommended for funding under the Social Enterprise Scaling-up Scheme 2022 – Strand 1 (Medium-scale Funding)

Lough Ree Access For All Company Limited By Guarantee

Replacement and enhancement of a wheelchair accessible embarkation /disembarkation ramp

Roscommon

€48,119

MyMind Company Limited By Guarantee

An electric vehicle that will be used to expand the outreach mental-health support service nationwide.

Dublin

€86,721

Clarecare Company Limited By Guarantee

Purchase of equipment for the development of the Connect Clare Café Network, including equipment for a new Wellness Centre.

Clare

€47,108

Inner City Enterprise Company Limited By Guarantee

To fund the development of a hub, which includes refurbishment works, including; furniture, fixtures and fittings and tiling.

Dublin

€99,600

Offaly Integrated Local Development Company Limited By Guarantee

Purchase of two new electric vans to deliver the Meals on Wheels program.

Offaly

€64,000

Spraoi Agus Spórt Family Centre Company Limited By Guarantee

To fund a portacabin, which will allow for a permanent base to meet the needs of 40 children and young people with a disability. The portacabin will also provide office space for 3 staff members.

Donegal

€100,000

The Employment Development and Information Centre (Longford) Company Limited By Guarantee

To fund the insulation of the loft, the upgrade of doors and the upgrade of the lighting to improve energy efficiency as well as establish a Community Education Hub with laptops, monitors, desks and chairs.

Longford

€81,015

Crossmolina Community Council Company Limited By Guarantee

To complete building works including adding ramp to entrance; converting an office on the ground floor to a disabled toilet; and converting a small storage area to a fully accessible kitchen.  

Mayo

€83,579

Kilcannon Industries Company Limited By Guarantee

Building works including installation of an 8-passenger disabled access lift ; surfacing works including upgrading and marking the public car park; installing electric car points; disabled parking and bicycle racks for cyclists.

Wexford

€100,000

ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services

To fund refurbishment work in ADAPT's refuge that will enhance their education, training and shop storage area.

Limerick

€82,191

Castlecomer Demesne Company Limited By Guarantee

To fund the purchasing of harness equipment to enable them to maximise throughput on their high ropes course and to purchase Stand Up Paddle Boards, Wetsuits and a small changing cabins.

Kilkenny

€85,254

County Kildare Leader Partnership Company Limited By Guarantee

To fund the purchase of an electric vehicle and equipment for the expansion of the Kildare Small Jobs project.

Kildare

€63,085

Hope for People with Autism CLG

To fund the development of a Café that will provide employment opportunities to those with Autism.

Limerick

€43,479

Listowel Community Centre Company Limited By Guarantee

Upgrade of the front doors and bathroom sink and the purchase of eco-power bikes and a wellness system.

Kerry

€100,000

The Cottage Market Cavan Company Limited by Guarantee

To fund  a refrigerated van for three new customer collection points and home delivery service and a  generator to service new DineYard locations in rural areas in Cavan.

Cavan

€79,104

Leitrim Warmer Homes Company Limited By Guarantee

To fund the purchase of two new vehicles to support their work.

Leitrim

€83,831

IRD Duhallow Company Limited By Guarantee

The purchase of: Van, Compressor, Generator, Racking, Ironing Board, Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers, and furniture repair equipment.

Cork

€99,366

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix B

Social Enterprises recommended for funding under the Social Enterprise Scaling-up Scheme 2022 – Strand 2 (Feasibility Studies)

 

Learning Hub Limerick Company Limited By Guarantee

feasibility study for development of a coherent city-wide horticulture social enterprise

Limerick

€10,000

Virginia Show Centre Limited

Feasibility study to identify a viable business model which will sustain the Centre financially into the future

Cavan

€4,816

North Tipperary Community Services Company Limited By Guarantee

the establishment of a community cafe

Tipperary

€10,000

Connections Art Centre Company Limited by Guarantee

Feasibility study to provide an independent assessment that examines all aspects of the CTYC programme

Dublin

€10,000

N.C.U. Company Limited By Guarantee

Feasibility study to examine how NCU Training can transition to launch as a national training establishment under the name Glin National College

Dublin

€7,880

Liquid Therapy Company Limited by Guarantee

Feasibility study into the doubling of the current capacity to deliver inclusive Ocean based programmes and services and the geographic expansion of Liquid Therapy services

Donegal

€10,000

Shuttle Knit Company Limited By Guarantee

Feasibility study into extending the concept to other parts of the country

Wicklow

€8,000

Castleknock Community Centre Association Company Limited By Guarantee

Feasibility study into using the former Credit Union office in addressing the needs of disadvantaged groups in our community

Dublin

€7,872

Inishturk Community Club Company Limited By Guarantee

Feasibility study for to explore the feasibility of a regenerative, thriving future for one of Ireland’s most remote communities

Mayo

€10,000

Irish Aerial Creation Centre Limited

Feasibility study for expand the capacity of the organisation to train and teach children and adults in the aerial arts

Clare

€8,000

Festina Lente Enterprises Company Limited By Guarantee

Feasibility study into the Development of Social and Therapeutic Horticulture as a means to improve peoples’ physical, psychological and mental well being

Wicklow

€10,000

Drimarone Development Company Limited By Guarantee

Feasibility study examining development options for expansion of The Bluestack Hostel

Donegal

€8,396

Not So Different Company Limited By Guarantee

Feasibility study on using the Diverse Minds Approach to bridge the gap between education and industry

Dublin

€10,000

Mitchelstown Community Centre Company Limited by Guarantee

Feasibility study to identify alternatives to the core activities and will examine the feasibility of the options for the community centre

Cork

€4,500

Active Connections CLG

Feasibility study for the commercial development of Active Connections

Cork

€7,971

Global Action Plan Company Limited By Guarantee

Feasibility study exploring the market readiness for Climate Impact and CO2 insights for consumer transactions

Dublin

€7,205

Killarney Technology Innovation Ltd

Feasibility study to investigate centre and services expansion to  social enterprise

Kerry

€5,200

ENDS

 

Contact:

The Department of Rural and Community Development Press Office

01-773 6843 / 087-1734633

Press.office@drcd.gov.ie

 

Notes to editors:

 

Social Enterprises

Social enterprises are businesses whose core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated by social enterprises are re-invested into achieving the core social objectives.

 

They frequently work to support disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, Travellers, etc., or to address issues such as food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.

 

National Policy

Ireland’s first National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development on 18th July 2019, with the objective of creating an enabling environment for social enterprise to grow and contribute more fully to Ireland’s social and economic progress.

 

The Policy is focused on three main objectives:

  1. Building Awareness of Social Enterprise
  2. Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise
  3. Achieving Better Policy Alignment

 

The National Social Enterprise Conference 2022

The holding of an annual Social Enterprise Conference is one of the commitments made in the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 to allow stakeholders to share best practice, inform policy implementation and future social enterprise policy development.

 

The theme of the conference is “A New Beginning”.

 

Dormant Accounts Fund

The Dormant Accounts Acts 2001-2012, together with the Unclaimed Life Assurance Policies Act 2003, provide a framework for the administration of unclaimed accounts in credit institutions (i.e. banks, building societies and An Post) and unclaimed life assurance policies in insurance undertakings.

 

The main purpose of the legislation is to reunite account or policy holders with their funds in credit institutions or insurance undertakings and in this regard, these bodies are required to take steps to identify and contact the owners of dormant accounts and unclaimed life assurance policies.

 

However, in order to utilise the un-used funds in dormant accounts and unclaimed policies to best effect, the legislation also introduced a scheme for the disbursement of funds that are unlikely to be reclaimed from dormant accounts and unclaimed policies for the purposes of measures to assist:

 

  1. the personal and social development of persons who are economically or socially disadvantaged;
  2. the educational development of persons who are educationally disadvantaged; or
  3. persons with a disability.

 

Social Enterprises work in many ways to assist people in these categories.