AQW 54174/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 11/02/2016
Answered On Date: 03/03/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment how he is supporting the growth of social enterprises in East Londonderry; and for a list of the social enterprises his Department has financially supported in this area in the last three years.

Answer:

In terms of supporting the growth of social enterprises in East Londonderry, since January 2013 some 14 groups from the community/voluntary sector have participated on Invest NI’s Social Entrepreneurship Programme. Five of the groups progressed to start up stage, creating 10 jobs. In addition, from April 2014 to December 2015 there have been 70 participants that engaged with the services offered through the Social Enterprise hubs.

Six social enterprises have been financially supported in East Londonderry in the last three years, these are the Rural Area Partnership in Derry Ltd, Claudy Rural Development Ltd, Timber Tots, Stendhal Festival Limited, Causeway Enterprise Agency and Big Telly Theatre Company. Financial assistance provided has included employment grant (under the Jobs Fund), export development assistance, management information support, innovation vouchers and finance vouchers.