Louise O'Reilly
Question:153. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the estimated cost of establishing a workers’ co-operative development unit within his Department. [28838/22]
View answerTuesday, 14 June 2022
Questions (153)
Written answers
The co-operative model is one of a number of legal options for an enterprise structure available to those considering establishing themselves in business. My Department does not promote one structure over another and the enterprise supports developed by the Department and its agencies are available to co-operatives, including worker co-operatives, where they meet the criteria for such supports.
The statutory framework governing co-operatives is in need of comprehensive reform and my Department is finalising 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 include new/expanded provisions across a range of areas including registration; corporate governance; compliance; financial reporting; and powers of the Registrar of Friendly Societies. It will introduce measures to make it easier to set up co-operatives and facilitate their access to finance. This will provide co-operatives with a modern and fit for purpose legislative basis on a par with other legal structures such as companies.
It is premature at this stage to speculate on how co-operatives could most appropriately be supported into the future and if establishing a development unit catering for the needs of worker co-operatives would be necessary. In the context of enactment of the Co-operative Societies Bill, my Department intends to engage widely with stakeholders including the co-operative sector, professional advisers, development agencies, relevant Government departments etc. to raise awareness of the modernised legislative basis that will underpin co-operatives and provide an attractive alternative for entities wishing to operate under the co-operative ethos.