Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
73. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of community enterprise schemes in Dublin south west; the number there have been in the same area in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31098/17]
View answerMy Department has run various community enterprise schemes, via Enterprise Ireland, since 1989. A number of projects in Dublin south west have been successful in receiving funding under these schemes.
Community Enterprise Centre Scheme
Since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) scheme in 1989, €64 million has been approved by Enterprise Ireland for the development of CECs across the country. Supported by four CEC schemes (operated in 1989, 2000, 2006 and 2008) 157 centres have been approved for financial support.
In 2012 a €2m programme was launched for a Community Enterprise Centre Business Development Function/Manager by Enterprise Ireland. 46 business development managers were funded under this initiative.
Five Community Enterprise Centres from Dublin South West have benefitted from Enterprise Ireland under these various initiatives.
Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme
In 2015 Enterprise Ireland launched a €5 million Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme. This competitive scheme was open to new and existing organisations, groups and alliances, who collaboratively seek to promote entrepreneurship, create jobs, foster innovation and enhance export opportunities for small business. 32 projects were funded to a level of €3 million under this initiative.
Five projects were funded from Dublin County, one of which is Action Community and Enterprise Limited, based in South West Dublin, and is a project focused on enhancing an effective enterprise ecosystem in Dublin West.
LEO Competitive Fund
In 2015 Enterprise Ireland also launched a competitive fund to foster collaboration across the national LEO network. 16 projects were funded under this initiative to a level of €2 million.
One collaborative project involving LEO Fingal, LEO Dublin City, LEO South Dublin, and LEO Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown received funding under this initiative. This project is targeted at the Dublin food producer cohort and focuses on the creation of an online video education platform to enhance knowledge, improve skill sets and develop producer competencies.
Regional Enterprise Development Fund 2017-2020
Launched in May 2017, this €60 million competitive fund will support major new collaborative and innovative initiatives that can make a significant impact on enterprise development in the region/across regions or nationally to build the unique USP capabilities to grow the regions. Funding will be awarded via a competitive process and the call for applications closes on August 18.
