Supporting local enterprise is at the
SINCE its foundation, IRD Duhallow has had supporting local enterprise at the forefront of its agenda. Support is given in many ways, from soft supports such as training and mentoring to capital funding offered through the LEADER and SICAP programmes.
Our LEADER 2014-2020 programme is now underway, and IRD Duhallow’s development officers have been working hard on the ground to support businesses and local communities to bring projects to the value of €857,587 to fruition. This is no easy task given the level of bureaucracy and paperwork that is associated with it.
IRD Duhallow is proud to have the responsibility for the delivery of the LEADER programme in the Macroom, Clondrohid, Carriganima, Ballinagree region in South Cork. This is why you see businesses from this area included within the supplement and they are very welcome to the IRD Duhallow family.
Our Skillnet, which was first established in May of 2015, has grown from strength to strength. Now with an annual budget just short of half a million euro, the programme brings training to rural Duhallow, allowing entrepreneurs the opportunity to access quality, affordable training locally.
The Minister has once again shown confidence in the Skillnet model with an increase of 29% in the 2019 budget. Our Skillnet has so far this year funded vocational training places for 578 employed participants from across 240 different companies.
Our SICAP programme undertakes important work with people who may be experiencing social exclusion, such as those who are unemployed, those with mental health difficulties, family carers and lone parents. Through SICAP we offer a number of targeted supports including our Job Centre, which helps with CV preparation and interview skills.
Other initiatives funded through SICAP include our carers group, and supports to those who are unemployed and looking at starting their own business as a route to employment.
Community enterprise has a strong and growing presence in Duhallow, building on the deep rooted culture of self-help and entrepreneurial spirit for social innovation. Ballydesmond-born Nora Herlihy famously pioneered the Credit Union movement in the late 1950’s and therefore, historically, there is an ethos of collective problem solving and change-making in Duhallow where communities work together to develop new strategies, ideas and concepts to solve any of their un-met social and environmental needs in a cost effective manner.
IRD Duhallow has forged strong links with the Department of Social Protection through the delivery of employment activation programmes such as Community Employment and Tús, as well as the sustainable farming programme, the Rural Social Scheme.
From the outset, IRD Duhallow has put in place tangible solutions to locally identified issues. IRD Duhallow has led the way in the field of community and social enterprise by developing a sustainable model of best practice for community care that addresses the needs of an ageing population while encouraging more families to live in Duhallow.
The Rural Meals Service, Warmer Homes Scheme, Furniture REVAMP, Community Laundry, Care and Repair all provide vital community services and give employment to over 300 people.
There has been considerable interest from other regions in Ireland and further afield in Europe to replicate this integrated community care infrastructure in