Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2017
366. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the national policy on social enterprise will be published; the main priorities to support social enterprise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5665/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 number of Government Departments currently provide supports to the social enterprise sector 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.
The objective of developing and publishing a National Policy on Social Enterprise is to provide a more co-ordinated approach to the sector in Ireland and to maximise its potential. The policy will cover the full spectrum of activity across the sector and will identify priority needs for its further development.
Preparing the policy will involve detailed research on the sector and consultation with key stakeholders and relevant Government Departments and agencies. My Department has already started the research phase and will be commencing the consultation process shortly. Following the completion of this process, I envisage that the National Policy on Social Enterprise will be published in the second half of this year.
