The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2015-2017 is funded by the Irish Government and co-funded by the European Social Fund and includes a special allocation under the Youth Employment Initiative.
Four Kerry businesses were this week selected to represent Kerry at the Munster regional competition phase of the Irish Local Development Companies Network national enterprises awards competition. The businesses, two representing South Kerry Development Partnership Ltd. and two representing North, East & West Kerry Development, were chosen from an overall entry of circa 40 businesses from across the county in what is the first year of the competition. The South Kerry winners were James’ Barber Shop and K&T Bakery while the North Kerry winners were Maura’s Flowers and The Gluten Free Kitchen. All of the businesses who entered were set up since 2011 with assistance from the Local Development Companies through the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme in conjunction with the Department of Social Protection.
Welcoming everyone to the event, SKDP CEO Noel Spillane stressed the importance of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme in providing unemployed people with the opportunity to set up their own businesses. What clearly came across from the applications received for tonight’s awards was the importance of the BTWEA/SEA funding in providing what many applicants termed as a ‘safety net’ as they established their businesses ” he said. Noel added that these small businesses were the backbone of the economy of regions such as Kerry and it is vital that they are given all the support possible to help them succeed.
Maurice Lawlor of the Department of Social Protection described the event as a celebration of the businesses involved pointing out that the entrepreneurs that set them up took big risks and should be recognised for their courage in taking the step from unemployment into starting their own businesses. “The overall Social Welfare Budget is circa €20bn a year and the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance programme is a very valued part of this spending” he said. Maurice also noted that large locally owned businesses already exist in Kerry which proves there is opportunity for these smaller enterprises to grow. “I would encourage people to recognise the potential of the businesses they have started and to think bigger & better” he said.
NEWKD CEO Eamonn O’Reilly congratulated all the businesses who took part in the event and said that he was sure the award winners would represent Kerry very well in the next stages of the national competition. “It is great to see the families of the business owners here tonight also and the support of both family and friends is very important to these new businesses when they are getting up and running” Eamonn said. He also encouraged the businesses present to take the opportunity to network with each other saying that some of them were involved in complementary business areas and could potentially work together in the future.
The national final of the competition is due to take place in Dublin in September.
The BTWEA/SEA schemes are funded by the Dept. of Social Protection and the Local Development Companies are supported by the Social Inclusion & Community Activation Programme (SICAP) in rolling out the schemes.
