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Issue No.8 Spring 2002
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The Social Economy Programme in the
Republic
By Kelvin Harvey
The Social Economy Programme arose out of the Report and recommendations of the
Social Economy Working Group established under the Partnership 2000 Agreement
and was formally launched by the Tanaiste in Sept. 2000. It's aim is to support
the development of social economy enterprises, whose services provide employment
opportunities for the unemployed and other disadvantaged persons and contributes
towards the social and economic regeneration of local communities. The Programme
is being phased in over the next five years. Nationally, it is proposed that
funding will build up to £IRL 41 million per annum by the year 2003 and achieve
a level of 2,300 jobs.
FAS has established local working groups in each county, which comprise
Employer, Trade Union, Community/Voluntary sector, Local Authorities, Health
Board, CEBs representatives etc. Operating on a consensus basis the Working
Groups assist FAS in targeting resources towards areas of greatest disadvantage
and ensure a local integrated approach in the development of the Social Economy.
The working groups contribute to promoting the programme and to the evaluation
process.
Organisations eligible for support include: Community Businesses, which would
expect to become self-financing, in the medium term; Deficient Demand
Enterprise, where the demand for particular goods or services within a community
is not matched by the community's ability to pay; and Enterprises based on
Public Sector Contracts. Activity currently funded under Community Employment or
Job Initiative that has potential to be sustainable can transfer into the new
programme.
The range of activity currently supported under the programme includes the
management of community facilities, cultural & heritage, landscaping
services, transport services for disabled, support for the elderly, energy
conservation, community childcare, recycling services, information technology
training, craft and local speciality production, tourist business facilities,
estate management, community sports and recreational services etc
In support of communities that are not actively involved in their own
development facilitation support will be made available to assist them identify
their needs and put in place a development plan that can be funded under the
programme. A business planning grant of up to £4,000 is also available to help
groups put together the plan for the proposed enterprise.
The completed Business Plan is then considered by the Local Working Groups and
FAS for full grant approval. Approval of grant support can be given for a three
year period towards the employment of a manager, employees Wages, along with a
contribution to capital, overheads and training requirements.
Despite the unprecedented growth in the rest of the country the border region
still faces major challenges and problems. It is envisaged that potential
benefits from the programme will contribute to an improvement in the quality of
the regions economic and social infrastructure and human resources. Projects
supported under the programme will offer ownership within a community or among
people with a shared interest, while responding to local market needs and
providing sustainable employment opportunities.
Eligible grant-aided employees are long-term unemployed and other disadvantaged
persons including ex-prisoners. Persons may retain their secondary benefits and
medical cards and claim Family Income Supplement. It is expected when fully
operational the Social Economy Programme will have a budget in excess of
£4,000,000 with a target of four hundred jobs created in the North East Region.
FAS also has had discussions with the Social Economy Agency in Northern Ireland
with a view to possible co-operation in terms of potential cross border supports
for the development of social economy enterprise activity, exchange of best
practice and use of expertise.
For information on the programme contact the local FAS Community Services
Office. Information is also available on the FAS website at http//www.fas.ie
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