1.
At the inaugural NCCAG meeting at the Horse and Jockey, Thurles, last January, representatives from the 27 community cafés discussed the challenges they faced. A theme emerged - as social enterprises established in response to reduced rural amenities and increased rural isolation, their ability to pass on increased business costs to customers was in direct contradiction to their mission, to provide a place for all in our community. The cafés provide their services through a mix of commercialism and volunteerism, which they say neither the state nor the private sector would deem commercially viable. BELOW: Noelle Egan and Julie O'Brien, from Windgap, with Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP at the inaugural NationalCommunity Café Action Group meeting, last January
2.
According to the NCCAG the cafés are on thin ice. Their report states: “Spiralling business costs have made conditions extremely difficult for all businesses across Ireland; however, community cafés are under direct threat of closure. The mission and ethos are to ensure a place for all – meeting the challenges of rural isolation head on and increasing amenities in local communities that ensure community bonds and heritage are maintained for future generations. “There is a limit to the costs community cafés can pass on to their customers before this becomes exclusionary and therefore incompatible with their mission. “We know the Government sees the value of community cafés nationally, this has been acknowledged through the provision in the Programme for Government to ‘work to support the development and retention of community-run shops and cafes.’ However, we need this provision turned into urgent action.” BELOW: Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was welcomed to Muckalee Community Café