Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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332. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of co-operatives operational; the number of persons employed in these co-ops; her plans to support and grow the co-op sector here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4147/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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According to the Annual Report for 2016 of the Registry of Friendly Societies which was published in July 2017, there were 911 Industrial and Provident Societies registered at the Registry of Friendly Societies.  The Registry of Friendly Societies does have not any information on the number of persons employed in these co-operatives.

The co-operative model is one of a number of legal options that are available to those considering establishing themselves in business, and the different models have their own distinct characteristics. It is, of course, up to each individual operation to choose the model that best suits the nature of the business and the desired ethos of the entity.

The Department supports co-operatives in the same way as we support other enterprises.  Many Local Enterprise Office supports are available to co-operatives, including feasibility grants, priming grants and business development grants.

In July 2014, the Friendly Societies and Industrial and Provident Societies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 came into effect.  This legislation is aimed primarily at easing the regulatory burden on co-operative societies, making it easier to start up and run a co-operative as an alternative form of enterprise organisation. It addressed particular problems that were identified in the co-operative sector and helps to ensure this model thrives and grows to its potential to promote appreciation of the co-operative as a form of enterprise organisation.

My responsibility lies in the legislative provision for co-operatives in general.  Any initiatives to facilitate or promote the development of co-operatives in particular sectors, for example childcare, education, housing, energy retro-fitting, environmental protection, would be a matter for my colleagues in the respective Government Departments.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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333. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grants and funding streams available for co-operative start-ups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4148/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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. As the “first-stop-shop” for providing advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports to those wishing to start or grow their own business, the LEOs:

- provide a sign-posting service to all relevant State supports

- offer direct grant aid to micro-enterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sector which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities

- offer “soft” supports in the form of training and mentoring

- assist with loan applications to Micro Finance Ireland.

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 companies 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.

In addition, Supportingsmes.ieis a cross-governmental initiative to help Irish start-ups and small businesses navigate the range of Government supports. By answering 8 quick questions in the Online Tool, a small business can:

- Find out which of the over 170 Government business supports from over 30 different Government Departments and Agencies are available to them

- Obtain information on the range of Government supports for accessing credit

- Locate their nearest Local Enterprise Office to discuss the outcomes of the guide.