Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
929. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in the context of Budget 2027, his plans to support community cafes or shops; particularly in relation to staffing costs. [68128/26]
View answer930. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if capital grants are available to community cafes or shops to carry out property repairs or maintenance; and if any such streams that were previously opened, will be opened again. [68127/26]
View answer931. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the potential funding streams available to community cafes or shops to hire staff; and if such streams that were previously opened, will be opened again. [68125/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 929, 930 and 931 together.
Community cafés and shops are social enterprises that are a vital part of many communities. They provide enormous benefits to their customers, staff and volunteers, offering training and employment opportunities and an important ‘hub’ for members of a community. I recognise that many operate in areas that make them financially unsustainable and so they may benefit from ongoing or operational supports. This is why my Department supports social enterprises to operate under a number of different programmes, each with their own scheme requirements and opening and closing dates, which can be found at the following links:
• Community Services Programme (CSP): https://www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f93d-apply-for-community-service-programme/
• Social Inclusion and Activation Programme (SICAP): https://www.pobal.ie/programmes/social-inclusion-and-community-activation-programme-sicap-2024-2028/
• LEADER: https://www.gov.ie/en/service/87e09-leader-programme-for-rural-development/
In April last, I launched the €4m Dormant Accounts Funded Sustaining Social Enterprise Scheme 2026/2027. While this scheme is now closed, community cafés and shops were eligible to apply for this funding which aligned with the policy objectives of Trading for Impact, the National Social Enterprise Policy 2024–2027. Following feedback from stakeholders in the sector, it was targeted at established social enterprises to grow their financial sustainability by developing a shared-service resource or recruiting a key staff member to focus on growing their trading income. Applications are currently under consideration and the successful projects will be announced in the coming weeks. This scheme will support the posts described for a period of 23 months. I have no plans at present for how this funding stream might be targeted at the end of this iteration of the scheme.
I would encourage any social enterprise seeking advice and assistance, including community cafés and shops, to contact their nearest Local Development Company (LDC). LDC staff are very familiar with social enterprises and well-informed on funding opportunities across a number of government departments and agencies that may be open for applications and able to provide support.
Additionally, the following organisations may be able to provide advice, funding and training for community cafés and shops:
• Rethink Ireland: https://rethinkireland.ie
• Social Entrepreneurs Ireland: https://www.socialentrepreneurs.ie/
• New Solutions Social Innovation Hub: https://www.new-solutions.ie/
There are also a range of business supports available to social enterprises, such as community cafés and shops, where they operate on a commercial basis through Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs). Applicants must also meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme for which they wish to apply. More information on LEOs can be found at www.localenterprise.ie. The National Enterprise Hub (NEH), also provides a centralised signposting service for over 250 Government or agency supports from 29 different Departments and State Agencies. The NEH website is www.neh.gov.ie. This free service makes it easier to access and avail of business supports such as grants, funding, loans and expert advice across a range of sectors and aims to engage with small businesses who have yet to avail of government support.
Within my department’s Rural Development Investment Programme, there is a range of schemes providing capital funding with a focus on the economic and social development. These schemes do not include a specific focus on the hospitality sector or rural shops, however, there are a limited number of projects which have been supported by the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme which have seen café facilities included as part of wider multi-functional projects.
The 2026 Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) was launched on Wednesday 16 September 2026. There are two funding streams available under the 2026 Town and Village Renewal Scheme: the Main Scheme and the Project Development Measure. The Scheme is administered through the local authorities, who are required to work closely with local communities to develop proposals for submission to the Department. The closing date for the submission of applications is 22 January 2027.
Finally, my Department maintains a Social Enterprise Supports Table that provides a list of supports available to community groups and social enterprises in Ireland. This includes information on the various sources of advice, networking, training, funding and financial supports social enterprises may avail of. This table can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/89e63-social-enterprise-supports-tables/
