Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2016
40. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason that in a recent report (details supplied) on countries with the best conditions for social enterprise Ireland ranks 43rd out of the 44 countries surveyed; and the initiatives she plans to implement to improve these conditions. [33012/16]
View answerThe report referred to by the Deputy outlines the results of a poll which was largely based on questions regarding the environment for social enterprises that are following a business model.
The social enterprise sector in Ireland covers a wide spectrum of activities, which are delivered by a range of organisations, from local community groups fully supported by the State to companies operating on a commercial basis for a social return. A 2013 report by Forfás indicated that there were over 1,400 social enterprises in Ireland in 2009. However, 63% of these had no traded income, while income from traded activities made up only 17% of the total income of the remaining enterprises.
A number of Government Departments currently engage with the social enterprise sector and provide supports through a range of programmes and schemes. These include
- the Community Services Programme managed by Pobal for the Department of Social Protection;
- the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme operated by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government;
- Community Employment schemes;
- the Wage Subsidy Scheme for the employment of people with disabilities;
- LEADER funding; and
- Dormant Accounts funding.
Some social enterprises also benefit from the services provided by the Local Employment Offices.
In order to develop a more co-ordinated approach to the social enterprise sector in Ireland and to maximise its potential, I intend to develop a National Policy on Social Enterprise in 2017.
