Six Kilkenny communities awarded €20,000 to fund social enterprises

SIX local communities have been granted funding as part of a government package that will see over €20,000 invested in new social enterprises throughout Kilkenny.

Minister and Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan today confirmed the €20,350 funding will be made available from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

The single largest beneficiary is the Gorwan Parish Enterprise Group Company, which will receive €6,600 as part of the funding.

The other local community projects to benefit are:
*Castlecomer Demesne Company (€4,400);
*St Canice’s Community Action Company (€3,300);
*Kilkenny LEADER Partnership (€2,750);
*Kilkenny Community Communications Cooperative Society Ltd (€2,200);
*Danesfort Community Care Centre Company (€1,100).

Welcoming the funding, Minister Phelan said: “The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model. It focuses on service delivery to disadvantaged communities and target groups, helping to address disadvantage and long-term unemployment.

“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, to name but a few.”