Developing Employment Initiatives within the Community

The Government will encourage and support in a practical way, through the involvement of its Departments and agencies, the following initiatives by communities and enterprise:

6.1 The organisation of workshops and initiatives at regional/local level to identify ways to stimulate domestic demand and galvanise community action, building on successful models (e.g. Buy local, Local Heroes, Getting Irish Business Online). The Government will assist in implementing ideas generated, where appropriate. (Chambers of Commerce, Retail representatives, Local Authorities, Industry champions).

6.2 The organisation of Jobs Fairs around the country, to bring together local businesses and jobseekers to highlight available jobs and match them with jobseekers. (Chambers of Commerce, local employers, local enterprise supports, Dept. of Social Protection, Third Level Institutes)

6.3 Initiatives by companies committed to Corporate Social Responsibility, particularly in the provision of employment opportunities to more marginalised groups in the community. (Business in the Community Ireland, Chambers Ireland)

6.4 The introduction, in the enterprise sector, of a Prompt Payments Charter, to improve cashflow between businesses. (Business representative bodies)

In 2012, the Government will also:

6.5 Develop a new sectoral strategy to promote employment and support local enterprise by Local Government to include measures in the area of business charges, local enterprise and business support arrangements, procurement support, local development and community based initiatives, the Green Economy and local government participation in employment support schemes. These measures will complement, and assist in the delivery at a local level, of other actions set out in this Action Plan. (DoECLG, local authorities, DJEI)

6.6 Align community‐based endeavour with local government with a view to improving delivery of services to citizens at local level, achieving greater efficiency and effectiveness and enhancing the role of Local Authorities in the delivery of local and community development programmes and functions. The supports for business from both the Local and Community Development sector and local government will be re‐configured to bring about maximum coherence at local level. (DoECLG, Local Authorities)

6.7 Report on the potential of social enterprise to create jobs. The report will identify the actions required, in funding, procurement, etc, by Government and other relevant bodies and agencies to create jobs in this sector. It will examine potential initiatives in this area (e.g. a Micro‐Working Initiative) and will be prepared with particular reference to the European Commission’s Social Business Initiative and associated funding. (Forfás, DJEI)

6.8 Ensure that the goals of the Local and Community Development Programme (i.e. to increase access to formal and informal educational, recreational and cultural activities and resources, and increase people’s work readiness and employment prospects) continue to provide support for enterprise start‐ups. (DECLG, Pobal, Local Development Companies)

6.9 Continue to support job creation in rural communities through the Rural Development Programme concentrating primarily on the provision of direct support for the generation and development of enterprise ideas and initiatives and the provision of support for initiatives that facilitate the development of sustainable rural communities. (DECLG, DAFM, Teagasc, Local Action Groups)

6.10 Deliver a new round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) in 2012. (DTTS)

6.11 Examine the potential to establish a national Community Investment Fund to support matching co‐funding to encourage involvement of all sections of society to create employment. Resources would be allocated on a competitive basis with funds given to the best projects. As one to one matching private/community resources would be a condition of this fund, it would directly leverage direct expenditure. (Relevant State Bodies)

6.12 Introduce legislation aimed at easing the regulatory burden on co‐operative societies and making it easier to start up and run a co‐operative as an alternative form of enterprise organisation. This legislation will address particular problems which have been identified in the co‐operative sector, and will help ensure that this model can thrive and grow to its potential. (DJEI)