Local entrepreneur Ed Dunne creates €100,000 Tallaght Fund

A TALLAGHT entrepreneur has created a €100,000 social enterprise fund for his hometown, a fund which aims to support the community in creating innovative, sustainable and inclusive projects.

The Tallaght Fund is being delivered by the Síol Foundation, which, founded by Tallaght philanthropist Ed Dunne, offers sustainable support to social entrepreneurs, community projects and social enterprises.

Growing up in Belgard Heights, Ed has always had an entrepreneurial spirit – a trait he believes was passed down by his dad.

At the age of 20, Ed set up his first business, an IT company that crashed.

However, this setback brought Ed, who had a Degree in Social Care and was a volunteer in Cheeverstown, on a new road – that led him to establishing Nua Healthcare in his twenties.

Nua Healthcare, which Ed has since exited from, continues to provide residential, supported living and day and community outreach services to children and adults with complex support needs.

Alongside Nua Healthcare, Ed has found businesses across different sectors and is today, working in partnership with his brother James in brewing and hospitality business, Brú Brewery.

James also supports his brother Ed in the Síol Foundation.

“We have been involved in a large number of projects nationally and internationally, spanning many different causes,” Ed told The Echo.

“It has been our intention to develop a Tallaght specific fund, given our ties to the area, for some time.

“We’re from Tallaght, born and reared in Belgard Heights, it makes sense with our affinity to the area.

“It’s exciting to be doing something.”

Síol is opening a €100k Tallaght Fund, a specific social enterprise fund for the creation of grassroots-led, sustainable projects that can impact positively on the area.

“We’re looking for inclusive projects, that have a significant social benefit,” Ed said.

“We approach this like entrepreneurs, we take a risk and don’t just go for the big organisations that have been around for a long time, we work with small organisations too and support people [who may not get funding elsewhere].

“If you think you have a project that can make a social difference, have a go.”

Ed stressed how Síol, which means seed as Gaelige, is “very hands on” providing mentoring and advice alongside financial support.

Independent Senator Lynn Ruane is championing the Tallaght Fund, and is supporting the team at Síol in raising awareness within the community.

Senator Ruane is also organising an open community Zoom for anybody interested in learning about the fund.

“We use the words social entrepreneur and innovation a lot these days, but what does that mean?,” Senator Ruane said.

“I believe it represents you.

“The community workers, young people, drug workers, family support workers, Traveller community, minority groups, disability advocates, mental health advocates, residents and volunteers across Tallaght.

“The list is endless.

“You are the innovators.

“None of what already exists within this community would be there without your ideas, and Síol wants to help fund and support more of those ideas.”

She added: “Síol would also encourage community projects to co-create an idea with those who use their service.

“Youth services, schools and sports clubs are full of bright young minds who are idealistic with vision and drive.

“This fund encourages ideas and proposals from all corners of Tallaght, across all generations, and we do so with inclusivity, creativity and imagination.”

Further details on the community zoom and how you can apply to the Tallaght Fund will be released in the coming weeks.

The application process for the fund will be video based.

Anybody who would like to put their name on the mailing list for details on the Zoom, which is scheduled for July 29, email: tallaghtfund@siolfoundation.com