Vol. 556 No. 5
86 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the details of the social economy programme in relation to the charity run organisation and shop of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [21025/02]
The funding of individual projects is an operational matter for FÁS as part of their responsibilities under the Labour Services Act, 1987, and as such I do not have a function in the process.
Applications under the social economy programme are made through local FÁS offices. Social economy working groups, which were established by FÁS to identify and prioritise areas of social economy activity, advise and make recommendations to FÁS community service unit (CSU) on specific applications. Each application is considered on its merits within the national guidelines and criteria established for the programme, locally agreed priorities and the funding available. Social economy enterprises are expected to show their potential to generate sustainable employment for long-term unemployed persons and to assist in the economic and social regeneration of a community or community of interest.
