- Funding to support 34 Social Enterprise projects across the country
- Minister acknowledges the tremendous work of Social Enterprises in our communities
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 |