Fifty community-based enterprise projects have received funding of €5.2 million from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Making the announcement yesterday the Tánaiste, Ms Mary Harney said the remaining balance of €2.8 million for the initiative will be allocated following a second call for applications. The Department received 81 proposals with a total value of €14.4 million, Ms Harney said. In making the final decision, Ms Harney said priority was given to areas in particularly in need of support and locations "where there is a poor history of enterprise development, and with little prospect of any becoming available".
The announcement was welcomed by the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME). chief executive, Mr Mark Fielding who said the initiative "should help to bring badly needed enterprise development into local communities who have been badly suffering from recent job losses and a lack of economic growth".
Nine area schemes received sizeable sums of more than €250,000 each, including Blanchardstown in Dublin, Ballinamore, Leitrim and Ferbane in Offaly. Mr Mike McMahon, development executive of South Offaly for Enterprise Ireland hoped the plans for a small industrial park, could stimulate economic activity in the area.
Mr Seddie McGovern, from Enterprise Ireland in the north-west region, acknowledged that the €338,00 received for the Ballinamore project was a great boost but fell short of the €800,000 sought. In Blanchardstown, the €250,000 will be used for a centre that will house a range of community-based facilities including childcare.