Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
111. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the funding available for community cafés to ensure financial viability of essential social enterprises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38364/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity cafés 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, and I recognise that many operate in areas that make them financially unsustainable and are in need of support.
I would encourage any social enterprise seeking advice and assistance, including community cafés, 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.
My Department supports social enterprises under a number of programmes, and in line with the various scheme requirements, opening and closing dates for applications are unique to each scheme. Programmes include:
• Community Services Programme (CSP): www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f93d-apply-for-community-service-programme/
• LEADER: www.gov.ie/en/service/87e09-leader-programme-for-rural-development/
• Social Inclusion and Activation Programme (SICAP): www.pobal.ie/programmes/social-inclusion-and-community-activation-programme-sicap-2024-2028/
In April, I launched the €4m Dormant Accounts Funded Sustaining Social Enterprise Scheme that was designed to assist social enterprises become more financially sustainable which will in turn help them to provide valuable services in their communities and to aid the delivery of their social, environmental or economic objectives. While this scheme is now closed, many community cafés were eligible to apply for this funding.
Additionally, the following organisations may be able to provide advice, funding and training for community cafés:
• Rethink Ireland: rethinkireland.ie
• Social Entrepreneurs Ireland: www.socialentrepreneurs.ie/
• New Solutions Social Innovation Hub: www.new-solutions.ie/
There are also a range of business supports available to social enterprises, such as community cafes, through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) where they operate on a commercial basis and meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme for which they wish to apply. More information on LEOs can be found at: www.localenterprise.ie
Another resource available to social enterprises is the National Enterprise Hub (NEH), which 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.
Finally, my Department maintains a Social Enterprise Supports Table that provides a list of supports available to 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: www.gov.ie/en/collection/89e63-social-enterprise-supports-tables/
