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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.

Billy Timmins

Question:

60 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is a scheme in her Department whereby a community group can apply for funding to upgrade a local community hall or obtain funding for other community projects; if a contact or liaison person in her Department co-ordinates such an application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12487/02]

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.

For its part, Enterprise Ireland launched a new community enterprise centre scheme on 8 April 2002, which replaces the existing 1989 community enterprise centre scheme administered by the agency. The scheme will provide funding of €8 million over the next two years to support community small business initiatives by enhancing the development of an enterprise climate through the provision of infrastructural facilities to support the establishment and expansion of micro enterprises through local community participation.
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