Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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86. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will report on the work of the social innovation fund; if his Department partakes in the selection and awarding of funds to suitable local projects; if priority areas are outlined for the funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38389/18]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Social Innovation Fund Ireland (SIFI) was established in 2013 following on from the recommendations of a 2012 report of the Forum on Philanthropy and Fundraising. Its mission is to provide growth capital to Ireland’s best social innovations, investing in solutions to social problems and creating jobs. SIFI finds and backs innovative solutions to critical social issues in Ireland and is charged with establishing a philanthropic fund of significant size and impact to aid the development of social innovation.

In partnership with others, SIFI supports innovations that enable healthy, resilient communities, and tackle issues like educational disadvantage and exclusion. SIFI backs social innovators to sustain them, scale them and maximise their impact.

The Department has recently agreed a three-year contract with SIFI which will include a continued commitment to match philanthropic funding raised by SIFI with State funding. This funding model will allow SIFI to continue its work in providing growth capital and support to Ireland’s best social innovations. Every euro raised in philanthropy by SIFI is matched by my Department from funding under the Dormant Accounts Fund.

Since 2016, SIFI has opened 15 public calls for applications, and supported 47 innovations to date which have an impact in every county in Ireland.

The selection process consists of a number of stages which are carried out by SIFI as an independent organization in line with its governance requirements. In the first instance, an internal review is undertaken to ensure all criteria have been met. This is followed by an external screen which usually involves expert reviewers and the donor is also given the option to participate in the external screening.

Further due diligence is performed by SIFI which can include technical checks, reference checks, verification of statements made, and site visits. A recommended short-list is then submitted to the two funding parties, the donor and my Department, who have the opportunity to provide observations, prior to the final decision. Other than reviewing the short-list, my Department does not participate in the selection process.

The Board of SIFI make the final decision regarding successful projects.

No priority areas have been set out for the funds by my Department. However, where possible, SIFI pays close to attention to ensuring a geographical and subject balance in its selection processes.