Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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2616. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development whether his attention has been drawn to the work of an organisation (details supplied); and to outline funding streams which may be available to them to continue and expand their social enterprise. [20285/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to acknowledge See My Skills and their valuable work which is having a meaningful impact on the lives of people living with disabilities by making workplaces more accessible.

Listed below are a number of available resources that may be useful for organisations like See my Skills.

It is recommended that any organisation seeking supports should contact their nearest Local Development Company (LDC) for advice. LDCs can provide details of funding available across many Government Departments, and also provide details of training, mentoring and networking opportunities that may be available. A link to the Local Development Company Network, the representative body for LDCs can be found here:

There are a wide range of business supports available to social enterprises through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), provided 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 here: www.localenterprise.ie/

My Department provides funding across a number of schemes that organisations such as See My Skills may be eligible for. These include Community Services Programme (CSP), Social Inclusion and Activation Programme (SICAP), and LEADER. Details of these schemes can be found at the links below:

CSP: www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f93d-apply-for-community-service-programme/

Leader: www.gov.ie/en/service/87e09-leader-programme-for-rural-development/

SICAP: www.pobal.ie/programmes/social-inclusion-and-community-activation-programme-sicap-2024-2028/

Other organisations such as Rethink Ireland (https://rethinkireland.ie/ ) and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland ( www.socialentrepreneurs.ie/) may also be able to provide advice, funding and training for organisations such as See My Skills.

The Deputy will also be aware of the National Enterprise Hub, which can be used by Social Enterprises and provides a centralised signposting service for over 250 Government or agency supports from 29 different Departments and State Agencies.

Information and support can be accessed through the website www.neh.gov.ie or by speaking to an advisor by phone or via live chat. 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. It also aims to engage with small businesses who have yet to avail of government support.

Finally, the Department of Rural and Community Development 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/