Written Answers Nos. 241-242
241. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to allocate funds from the European Crisis Reserve to assist farmers in the face of increasing input costs. [28539/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 23rd March, the EU Commission announced the adoption of exceptional adjustment aid to producers in agricultural sectors which have been impacted by Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. The aid provided for was granted as a measure supporting agricultural markets following the transfer of funds from the reserve for crisis in the agricultural sector.
The exceptional aid allocation to Ireland was €15.8 million in EU funding and there are detailed requirements and conditionality attached to this allocation; set out in Commission Delegated Regulation 2022/467 of 23rd March 2022.
On 13th April, I announced the Government's approval for exceptional aid supports of €15.8 million for the pig and horticulture sector, which will be funded from Ireland's EU allocation for exceptional adjustment aid. The approval was for €13 million for the pig sector and €2.8 million for the horticulture sector to support ‘high-wire’ protected glass house producers of tomatoes, cucumber and peppers, field vegetable producers, mushroom producers and commercial apple producers.
EU countries are required to notify the Commission of the measures to be taken before 30 June 2022 and to pay the supports by 30th September 2022. My officials are developing the schemes at present and it is envisaged that payments will be made as soon as possible.
In addition to this use of the EU exceptional aid provision, and in acknowledgement of the need to address the multiple impacts of the illegal invasion in Ukraine on food supply chains and food security, significant funding has already been allocated towards Exchequer funded measures including a targeted intervention package for the tillage sector, and the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme.
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.
