The allocation of funding for community projects is a day-to-day matter for the relevant State agencies and bodies, and is not one in which I have a direct function. However, with regard to the agencies and bodies operating under the remit of my Department, Enterprise Ireland and FÁS, together with the city and county enterprise boards, provide support to small businesses and local community groups. The city and county enterprise boards provide various services which include financial assistance by way of capital or employment grants, equity and refundable aid. However, such assistance is only available for commercially viable projects. Decisions on eligibility for assistance are made by the boards themselves, and anyone seeking a grant or other assistance should contact their local enterprise board directly.
FÁS operates a range of schemes designed to provide training or employment experience for persons wishing to enter the labour market. Some of these have a community development impact. However, FÁS schemes generally do not provide capital grants. For further information a community group should contact their local FÁS training centre.