Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
173. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will re-establish the cooperative development unit as a worker co-operative development unit in order to coordinate the existing worker cooperative network and to provide capital and technical assistance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16444/21]
View answerMy Department is preparing a general scheme of a Co-operative Societies Bill. This Bill will consolidate and modernise the existing Industrial and Provident Societies legislation and provide an effective and robust legislative framework for the diverse range of organisations using the co-operative model in Ireland, including worker co-operatives. The Bill will support the co-operative ethos and introduce new / expanded provisions across a range of areas relating to registration; corporate governance; financial reporting; powers of the Registrar of Friendly Societies etc. This will provide co-operatives with a modern, fit for purpose legislative basis on a par with other legal structures such as companies.
My Department does not discriminate nor favour one particular type of business model over another. As a consequence, there is no specific assistance dedicated to the co-operative model and there are no plans to re-establish the co-operative development unit. The enterprise agencies of my Department are available to provide advice, assistance, funding, as appropriate, to eligible enterprises and do not discriminate between co-operatives and other legal forms.
