Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has welcomed confirmation that additional funding of €27,500 will be made available for seven social enterprises in Clare.

The funding was allocated to Burren Display Centre (€3,300); East Clare Community Co-op (€4,400); Kilrush Amenity Trust (€5,500); Lisdoonvarna Failte (€2,200); Michael Cusack Development Company (€3,300); South West Clare Community Radio (€4,400); West Clare Family Resource Centre (€4,400).

“The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model”, Deputy Carey explained. 

“It focuses on service delivery to disadvantaged communities and target groups, helping to address disadvantage and long term unemployment. The Programme targets communities where public and private sector services are lacking, either through geographical or social isolation or because demand levels are not sufficient.  

“The funding will be used to help alleviate the financial challenges faced by smaller CSP support organisations and maintain their viability pending completion of the CSP review.

“The funding will support social enterprises that provide employment opportunities for specific disadvantaged groups and categories of people, such as the long-term unemployed, Travellers, those recovering from drug addiction and people with convictions,” Deputy Carey added.