Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1046. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a grant aid package will be made available for social enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9118/20]
View answerSince the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency, we have seen many social enterprises significantly step-up and diversify their activities to adapt to local needs as part of their valued contribution to the Community Call.
However, I am also keenly aware that many social enterprises find themselves in financial difficulty as their trading activities have been significantly curtailed in line with public health advice. In recognition of this, I recently announced a number of support measures for social enterprises, along with community and voluntary organisations and charities, which complement other Government supports such as the Wage Subsidy Scheme.
In April, I launched a €2.5 million COVID Emergency Fund to support community and voluntary groups, including social enterprises, involved in the delivery of COVID-19 community response efforts.
In May, I launched a €40 million package of supports under the Dormant Accounts Fund which comprises:
- a €35 million COVID-19 Stability Fund administered by Pobal, to help organisations who have seen their traded and/or fundraised income drop significantly during the crisis; and
- a €5 million Government commitment to a Philanthropy ‘Innovate Together’ Fund, administered by Social Innovation Fund Ireland, which focuses on supporting responses to the crisis that require innovative and adaptive solutions to existing and emerging challenges.
While applications have closed for now for the above supports, my Department continues to support the development of social enterprises in line with the National Social Enterprise Policy (2019-2022), in a number of ways.
The Training and Mentoring Pilot scheme, which I launched last year, is supporting over 400 participants to develop their social enterprises, with funding of over €725,000. This scheme is even more important now in light of the COVID crisis, to help social enterprises to build their capacity and resilience in difficult trading circumstances.
The €2 million Small Scale Capital Grants for Social Enterprise, which I also launched last year, is supporting 220 projects nationwide. Both of these schemes are funded from the Dormant Accounts Fund.
My Department also continues to support social enterprises and other community organisations through a number of other programmes including SICAP, LEADER and the Community Services Programme (CSP).
My officials are maintaining regular contact with social enterprise stakeholders throughout the country to ensure my Department is aware of the evolving needs of the sector.
