Tipperary TDs host National Community Café Action Group at Leinster House

Tipperary TDs Michael Lowry and Ryan O'Meara welcomed the delegation from the National Community Cafe Action Group to Dail Eireann on Wednesday afternoon to launch a report that quanitifies the impact of community cafés around Ireland.

The group was led by The Cottage Loughmore. Mary Fogarty and Leonie Maher presented a report on the impact and value of Community Cafes and shops. This report highlights the fact that Community Cafes, being based within their local areas, are run as Social Enterprises as opposed to profit-making businesses. They strive towards community benefit rather than seeking a return on investment.

Community Cafes, in general, have a range of impacts that go far beyond that of satisfying the catering needs of their customers. These impacts can be viewed as socio-cultural, economic, environmental and inter-generational.

‘I have supported and encouraged these rural enterprises across many parishes in Tipperary’ says Deputy Lowry. ‘Aware of how difficult it is to sustain these rural hubs, I ensured a commitment for support in the Programme for Government.

‘Together with my colleagues in the Regional Independent Group, I will be advancing this commitment for practical support during negotiations on this year's Budget.

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‘The excellent report from the National Community Café Action Group emphasises the importance of these local facilities and the need to secure their future’ he says.

He also added that it was fitting that tributes were paid to the memory of the Late Maeve O Hehir.

‘Together with Mary Fogarty, they had the vision, insight and passion to start this wonderful project, which has since been emulated across the county and country’ he said.