Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2020
343. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of worker cooperatives that received funding in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the amount of funding that each received. [13102/20]
View answerMy Department supports co-operatives in the same way as it supports other enterprises. Worker co-operatives set up prior to 2019 cannot be definitively identified on the Register of Friendly Societies as worker co-operatives so it is not possible to give a definitive position in relation to any funding provided to such entities. Since 2019, no co-operatives have been registered under the worker co-operative category.
My Department provides a range of grants and funding streams for ambitious start-ups, principally through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). The 31 LEOs are located throughout the country and provide a range of supports for the micro and small business sector.
Enterprise Ireland have a number of targeted supports for start-ups, including co-operative start-ups, that have global ambition, the potential to scale and meet Enterprise Ireland’s eligibility criteria. Enterprise Ireland supports enterprises in regional and rural areas to start, innovate and remain competitive in international markets, now and into the future. Supports include competitive feasibility funding, mentoring grants and innovation vouchers.
While Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices has funded co-operatives, they have not funded in the period referenced “worker co-operatives”.
