George Lawlor (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's commitment to social enterprise. He is correct to suggest the LDCN had a number of consultations throughout the county, and continues to do so. However, there is a belief among LEADER companies in particular that a more specific targeted support for social enterprise in more disadvantaged areas may be necessary. They say one of the biggest challenges facing them as social enterprises is the balance between meeting the social need - be that in the context of those employed in the enterprise or otherwise - and the business acumen required in the context of the running and operation of the business. As was put to me by a person immersed in the area of social enterprise, often the passion to fix an issue affecting one's community needs the same business passion to make it work. They are, of course, using the benefit of SICAP to bridge the gap between the social and commercial control aspects, with training and mentoring supports.

Are the Minister and his Department officials open to sitting down with social enterprises in our local development companies to look at a proposal with regard to the business running element of it?

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