Enterprise Ireland has approved almost £8 million for 22 new projects under the new community enterprise centre initiative, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, has announced.

The projects were designed to allow the development of community enterprises in a number of large urban areas where there was a high concentration of long-term unemployed, Ms Harney said. A further £5.5 million is to be made available next year and a second call for proposals is to be made in the coming weeks.