Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2022
242. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated amount that her Department has expended and budgeted to date in respect of the engagement of a research-led consortium of an organisation (details supplied) on its social enterprise data gathering exercise; and if he has consulted with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and another organisation on this research. [28251/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the most important measures in the National Social Enterprise Policy 2019-2022 calls for improved data relating to the extent of social enterprise in Ireland and the areas in which they operate.
Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis. However, surpluses generated by social enterprises are re-invested into achieving their core social objectives.
Historically, the lack of concrete data has impeded efforts regarding the provision of supports for, and raising awareness of, social enterprise. Reliable evidence is a prerequisite for effective public policy.
Following a competitive tender process, a consortium led by Amárach Research in collaboration with Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) and the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN), have started work on a baseline data collection exercise of social enterprise in Ireland.
My Department has budgeted a total of approximately €100,000 +VAT for this data gathering exercise, and has expended approximately €40,000 +VAT to date.
My Department consulted with a number of organisations and Government Departments, including Benefacts, as part of a scoping exercise in advance of the tender. The National Social Enterprise Policy Implementation Group, which includes a number of Government Departments, social enterprise networks, practitioners and support organisations, was also consulted during the process. Members of the Higher Education Institutes Social Enterprise Network were also consulted. A Technical Advisory Group which includes the CSO, Pobal, researchers and other relevant stakeholders was established to review and provide observations on the process or methodology during its development. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform was not consulted directly.
The baseline data collection exercise will identify key data such as the total number of social enterprises in Ireland, their regional spread, the primary sectors they are active in, their staffing levels and traded income. This is an opportunity to establish a reliable evidence base necessary for future policy development and delivery, which will benefit the sector. I am pleased to see that all social enterprise networks and support organisations are engaging in the project and it is progressing well.
