Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the Minister of State back to the Seanad.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As it is my first time here since the recess, I wish to pay tribute to Mr. Martin Groves and Ms Bridget Doody, who have left us. They are two fantastic public servants who have served this House and the Houses of the Oireachtas with distinction. I wish them every success in their next chapter. I thank them for their professionalism and dedication. I also wish the new Clerk of the Seanad every success.

It is my pleasure to be here this afternoon to speak on the national social enterprise policy, Trading for Impact, which was launched last year. Last week, I had the pleasure of being in the Dáil to speak on social enterprise policy, and I listened carefully to the contributions of Members. It is my intention to do the same here today. It is by engagement and listening to colleagues that we can ensure we respond in a proactive way to the challenges Members raise to fully support the social enterprises within all of our communities and beyond.

As Members know, social enterprise at its core is about achieving a social or environmental impact, rather than just maximising profits. They are part of the social economy and make a valuable contribution to social and economic progress through the creation of jobs and the delivery of a broad range of services in areas such as home care, childcare, retail, hospitality, environmental services and social housing. Very often, as Members know, they support people in disadvantaged areas, such as the unemployed, people with disabilities and the Traveller community, and address issues such as food poverty or supporting the circular economy. They make a hugely positive contribution in all of our communities.

In July of 2017, the Government assigned responsibility for social enterprise to the Department of Rural and Community Development. This gave the opportunity for a policy development which complemented the Department's overarching policy remit as well as responding to research calling for a cohesive framework to support social enterprise that could realise its full potential. That first national policy was drafted in consultation with the sector in 2019.

In a European context, the then Government signed the Luxembourg Declaration which commits to increased recognition and promoting a balanced developmental model to support the economic, social and environmental aspects of the social economy's growth. It aims to ensure a favourable ecosystem that leads to the expansion of the sector and champions social innovation as a driver of modernisation within the Single Market.

In July of last year, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys launched a second policy for Trading for Impact to cultivate and sustain a strong and impactful social enterprise sector in Ireland that enriches the social, environmental and economic well-being of our communities, with five key objects of the policy: building awareness of social enterprises, growing and sustaining them, supporting the green transition, increasing national and international engagement and impacting measurement. Senator Lynch, from her engagement with the European People's Party, has done an extraordinary job for us as Members of the Oireachtas, and we recognise the importance of that international engagement.

Officials in my Department have extensively engaged with stakeholders in developing this new policy. It is about a partnership approach within the sector and with the sector to ensure that it reflects learnings from the first iteration of the policy and the development since that time. That engagement has included bilateral meetings with key stakeholders, including Government Departments, representative bodies and networks as well as a number of regional stakeholders. We have received 43 submissions after a public consultation process. I thank all involved in the public consultation process, which is very important. In addition, a number of reports and reviews were undertaken, including the OECD report of the first national social enterprise policy and the first national baseline data collection exercise of social enterprise in Ireland. The findings are key to understanding how important the sector is in Ireland and to move forward and progress by recognising what works, what does not work and, more importantly, what we can learn. What we have discovered is that there are 4,000 social enterprises operating across the country in all regions. In 2021, these brought in a total income of €2.3 billion. Through these enterprises 84,000 people are employed, totalling 3.7% of the workforce, with 75,000 volunteers participating in the sector and more than 30,000 voluntary board members. A total of 60% of social enterprises employ people through active labour market programmes. Approximately 15% of the social enterprises report they operate internationally.

I am aware, as Members are, of the commitment in the programme for Government for an annual SEED allocation of funding, and I am engaging with colleagues on this matter to ensure that we best support and meet the challenge of the sector.

Since the launch of the first national social enterprise policy in 2019, the social enterprise unit in my Department has spent over €16 million on supporting social enterprises in Ireland. The Dormant Accounts Fund, as we all know, has a particular focus on supporting members of the Travelling community, migrants, former offenders and other marginal groups, improving the quality of life and delivery of service for disadvantaged communities. A sum of €14.9 million in dormant accounts funding has been used to provide capital support schemes, capacity building, training and mentoring programmes and awareness, raising support and growing and sustaining social enterprises, but it is actually about people and giving them opportunities. A total of €1.3 million in current expenditure has been directed at supporting the implementation of policy, including an annual national conference, network events, research, awareness training and capacity building.

This year my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and I announced that the Dormant Accounts Fund growing social enterprise scheme is worth €4 million, and again this scheme is about providing funding for 125 social enterprises for building works, repairs and refurbishments and the purchase of new machinery, vehicles and equipment to allow them to grow and expand. I very much welcome the establishment of the Trading for Impact stakeholder engagement group, which has been active. It is consulting with my officials to design a successor to the dormant accounts funding programme to commit to local social enterprises next year. It will ensure that the right supports are put in place to meet the challenges on the ground. Other programmes delivered by my Department also provide supports, including the community service programme, with 430 community-based organisations providing local, social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model.

The SICAP programme has supported 1,603 social enterprises by providing training for disadvantaged groups, as well as the provision of advice, business supports and small grants and, as Members will know, LEADER supports under its economic development and job creation team. The recently announced new solutions social innovation fund has at its core its aim to enhance the social innovation ecosystem in Ireland, including social economy organisations. Co-funded through the European Social Fund+ for the period 2021 to 2027, its aim is to reduce the risk of poverty and social exclusion. It will see the establishment of a social innovation hub to support innovative projects through targeted supports like mentoring, capacity building, access to information and financial support programmes. The European Social Fund+ for the period 2021 to 2027 will also see the Achieve Together social innovation coaching and mentoring programme enhance community services programme-supported organisations by increasing their capacity to apply for and manage supports from other sources at local, national and European level. Over the coming years, it is expected that mentors and coaches will be provided to about half of the CSP-supported organisations.

As Members will know, the national philanthropy policy also comes under our remit. The aim behind it is to create an enabling environment where social innovations, including social enterprises, can avail of opportunities from philanthropic and corporate social responsibility quarters.

The Trading for Impact stakeholder engagement group has commenced its work. It is made up of representatives from relevant Departments, networks and representative bodies. It will meet regularly and help to ensure that the lead bodies listed in the policy are held accountable for the delivery of their actions, although overall responsibility for the delivery of the policy will rest with my Department. The Trading for Impact stakeholder engagement group will be the overseer. The group has already met for the first time. The minutes of its meetings will be available when approved, and the group will continue to be open and transparent.

My officials will continue to work with colleagues across government to ensure improved access to funding and supports for social enterprises, including Enterprise Ireland. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment will sit on the Trading for Action policy implementation group in response to its responsibilities under actions 15 and 16 of the policy. It is about improving access to schemes, such as the Enterprise Ireland high-potential start-up team, for eligible early-stage social enterprises that are considered to have innovative products, services or technologies. It will also ensure a consistency of approach across the local enterprise offices, LEOs, which do tremendous work across the country.

I take this opportunity to highlight the active labour market programmes, such as the community employment programme, the rural social scheme and Tús. Some 60% of social enterprises have paid staff employed through these programmes.

Since 2021, my Department has sponsored the "Partnering with a Social Enterprise" category at the Chambers Ireland Sustainable Business Awards, one of which is for "Partnering with a Social Enterprise". This recognises the value of private businesses partnering with social enterprises.

As the sector grows and matures, the needs and challenges of social enterprises that arise from their legal form will be monitored to ensure there is a clear and favourable legal basis for the co-operative model in Ireland. This will improve the options available for establishing social enterprises.

Trading for Impact commits to improving opportunities for social enterprises to compete for public contracts. As an initial step, my officials are actively engaging with the Office of Government Procurement and the Minister of State, Deputy Higgins, on its new guidelines to ensure that all public bodies are aware of, and actively include, social clauses in their procurement, where possible. We will also support social enterprises to bid for and win contracts, and thereby increase their income and become more sustainable. Under the policy, work will also be undertaken to ensure that more corporate buyers are aware of the positive impact they can have on their communities by doing business with social enterprises.

My Department has commissioned a consortium, made up of Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland, the Irish Social Enterprise Network, the Local Development Company Network and The Wheel, to deliver a number of actions under the policy on its behalf, including: holding two national social enterprise conferences, the second of which will be held in Ballinasloe in November; a national social enterprise awards event; the series of regional networking events that took place earlier this year; and a pilot awareness raising programme for transition year students. My Department has also commissioned a pilot programme to investigate the challenges and merits of using a voluntary quality mark, which I believe will make it easier for social enterprises to secure business supports, public procurement contracts, philanthropic funding, grants and more by providing a trusted mark of approval for individuals and businesses that are thinking about doing business with them.

As stated in the Dáil, social enterprises do not wait for the conditions to be perfect. They act quietly and practically to create jobs, unlock talent, build local resilience and reimagine what inclusive and sustainable growth can look like. Trading for Impact represents a strong commitment by the Government to social enterprises and recognises the value and potential they bring to making our communities and environment stronger and more sustainable. As we look to the future, we support the power of local action to shape national outcomes. Through supporting the delivery of the actions contained in Trading for Impact, we will strongly support the development of the sector in the years to come. The best is yet to come. We are in the process of creating conditions where social enterprises can do what they do best, which is to serve, include and empower. I look forward to hearing the contributions of Members.

Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Cuirim fáilte roimh on Aire Stáit agus gabhaim buíochas leis as a óráid. What we are discussing today in terms of the national social enterprise policy is incredibly important for rural Ireland. It combines two vital strands, namely that public policy must serve social purpose and that rural and regional areas deserve every opportunity to thrive in a sustainable manner. As per the policy and as the Minister of State outlined, a social enterprise is one that trades in goods and services as a business does, but whose main objective is social, environmental or societal impact, rather than maximising profit. Social enterprises are governed independently and transparently of the public sector.

This policy does not simply support local businesses. It supports inclusive growth, community resilience and a new model of opportunity in rural Ireland, where communities are already doing huge work with sometimes limited resources. As mentioned, the former Minister, Heather Humphreys, originally launched the Trading for Impact policy in 2024. It is the Government's second national policy dedicated to social enterprise. The Minister of State outlined that the policy is structured around five key goals. It also contains 57 actions intended for roll-out through 2027, a key feature of which is the establishment of the Growing Social Enterprise capital fund, resourced from the Dormant Accounts Fund, with grants ranging up to €100,000 to assist social enterprises on a range of issues.

This policy demonstrates that the Government's commitment to social enterprise is not just a fringe concern but a core element in the architecture of social and economic development. It aligns well with our broader commitments to regional balance, sustainable development, inclusion and job creation. The social enterprise agenda is an ideal meeting point between enterprise policy, regional development and climate sustainability goals, and is one of the best tools we have to deliver on these promises. However, if the supports are too centralised or too focused on urban areas, I fear that rural areas may lose out.

To realise the potential of social enterprise, we must ensure that Trading for Impact is not siloed in one Department or confined to narrow definitions of support. I was glad to hear the Minister of State speak earlier about cross-departmental efforts. We must actively align it with rural development, county development plans, enterprise supports via LEOs, skills in education, green transition funding and schemes such as LEADER, SICAP and the community and social enterprise programme. Many of the 57 actions already foresee this cross-departmental co-ordination, as has been outlined, but the proof will lie in the delivery. We must treat Trading for Impact not as a stand-alone document but as a keystone in the Government’s wider vision of equitable growth.

In the constituency of Cork North-West where I live, social enterprise is very much alive and well. IRD Duhallow in Newmarket runs community employment schemes, heritage projects, elder services and training for the community. The Macroom E Enterprise Centre supports start-ups and green initiatives. Millstreet Community Council has supported local employment through community facilities and projects. In Charleville, social enterprises are delivering meals on wheels, youth supports and sports facilities across the area. Our local men's and women's sheds across the regions are small-scale social enterprises in their own right, which keep people connected and tackle rural isolation.

These are exactly the kinds of initiatives that Trading for Impact supports. However, we sometimes see these groups scrambling year to year for small grants or waiting months to find out if funding will be approved. This can be improved. We all know the benefits of a well-deployed social enterprise ecosystem. It can generate local economic activity, especially for people with barriers to the labour market. It can provide services in areas underserved by private enterprise, such as transport, through Local Link, or elderly care. It can anchor climate, biodiversity and nature restoration projects. It can foster stronger local supply chains and act as a beneficiary for grant, philanthropic or EU funding that is purpose-driven. In practice, however, social enterprises in rural Ireland can often face a dual disadvantage, with lower density of supports, higher fixed costs, more fragile local markets and weak access to capital or risk finance. The voices from social enterprise networks confirm this in their submissions.

This is a good, exciting policy. However, there are probably elements of it that we can improve. I would like to see the introduction of dedicated social enterprise hubs in rural areas. Local development companies, like IRD Duhallow in north Cork, which I have already mentioned, provide this service but they need more support to help more social enterprises navigate the many funding streams that are available and the maze of applications.

I am glad to hear the Minister of State's commitment to stronger integration with LEOs and enterprise supports.The feedback from many social enterprises is that they can sometimes be turned away from LEO supports because they do not fit the standard business model. This has to change. We need to focus on training our LEO staff on social enterprises and how to support them because this would make a really big difference locally.

There are many issues in rural areas that affect social enterprises, such as broadband gaps and a lack of public transport. For this reason, social enterprise needs to tie in directly with rural broadband, retrofitting and transport schemes.

It is also important that we deliver stronger education on social enterprise. One of the biggest challenges in rural areas is young people leaving for urban areas or emigrating. If we can create opportunities for them to start or join a social enterprise, it may give them a reason to stay at home. Secondary schools and colleges should be encouraged to promote social enterprise as a career option and to provide more education around it.

The Minister of State has mentioned the stakeholder engagement forum. I would like an update on that in relation to rural voices at the table, even though I know he noticed there were many cross-body stakeholders. On top of that we should, potentially, consider introducing a local evaluation forum, perhaps at county level, to track progress from county to county or region to region, and to flag or highlight potential blocks in areas that other areas may face in future.

This is a bold and welcome initiative. It will allow for social enterprise as a lever for inclusive growth, sustainability and resilience, but we need to ensure we localise it where we can. The success of this policy will not just be measured by the number of social enterprises but also by its contribution to resilient, deeply rooted local economies that ensure no region is left behind when it comes to development. I look forward to engaging in the Seanad and across government to ensure that Trading for Impact becomes not just a policy document but also a lived reality in every rural corner of the State.

Imelda Goldsboro (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I am delighted, as the spokesperson for Fianna Fáil, to contribute to today’s statements on the national social enterprise policy. The comprehensive policy document sets out five key objectives, supported by 57 targeted actions, each designed to unlock the full potential of social enterprise right across Ireland. The goal is to support and grow social businesses so they can make a difference in our communities, helping people, protecting the environment and boosting the local economy.

Social enterprise is about impact, not profit. It is about harnessing innovation and community spirit to address social and environmental challenges. Across the country, we see the enterprises stepping up to support the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, the Traveller community, other vulnerable people, those facing food poverty, and areas dealing with environmental degradation.

In the south of my county, Tipperary, there are inspiring examples of this work in action. South Tipperary Development Company, STDC, plays a pivotal role in bringing the national social enterprise policy to life at local level. It delivers Government-funded programmes such as LEADER and Healthy Ireland and helps communities access grants, training and expert advice. By supporting community-led businesses that trade for social good, STDC helps to create jobs, tackle disadvantage and protect the environment right across south Tipperary. Its work shows how social enterprise can deliver a real impact, boosting local economies while improving lives and, most important, strengthening communities.

Men’s Shed Mullinahone is another example. It shows how the grassroots initiatives can build connection and purpose. It provides a welcoming space where men can connect, share experience, build skills and support one another. Most important, this helps to combat isolation and improving well-being. Through hands-on projects and local initiatives, the shed contributes to the wider community while fostering a sense of purpose and belonging among its members.

The LEADER programme has been a cornerstone of rural regeneration in Ireland, and its role in supporting community and social enterprise is nothing short of transformative. By providing targeted funding and guidance to community-led initiatives, LEADER empowers local groups to identify their own needs and craft tailored solutions. Whether it is helping a community café to get off the ground, supporting a recycling hub to tackle waste and unemployment or enabling a youth programme to expand its reach, LEADER turns grassroots ideas into impactful realities.

In constituencies like Tipperary South, LEADER helps to revitalise villages, create jobs and foster social inclusion, proving that when communities are given the tools to lead, they build futures worth investing in. As Fianna Fáil spokesperson on social enterprise, I see at first hand how these initiatives offer meaningful opportunities for employment, training and education. They create good-quality jobs while also contributing to climate action and environmental sustainability.

Social enterprises such as FoodCloud, which redistributes surplus food from supermarkets to those in need, exemplify the power of community-led solutions. They are quite supportive of community cafés employing those overcoming addiction or living with disabilities, recycling hubs tackling both waste and unemployment, and youth programmes restoring hope where it has been lost.

Community cafés are one of the most tangible expressions of social enterprise in action. We have 27 in Ireland, with many more popping up. These spaces do more than serve tea and coffee; they give purpose to so many in society. Staffed by individuals living with disabilities or re-entering the workforce after long-term unemployment, they offer dignity through employment and connection through service. They become hubs of inclusion where people gather not just to eat but also to belong. In towns and villages across Ireland, including in south Tipperary, they are quietly transforming lives one cup at a time.

In rural areas, social enterprises are the heartbeat of regeneration. They breathe life into towns and villages, offering services that did not exist before and fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. I encourage the House to consider closely regeneration communities in Tipperary South and across the country. Are we doing enough to support and scale their efforts?

The programme for Government rightly recognises the vital role of social enterprise. Through initiatives like the LEADER programme and responses to challenges such as Storm Éowyn, we are committed to empowering these organisations to thrive. This year, the Minister, Deputy Calleary, and the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, launched a number of social enterprise supports, especially through the Dormant Accounts Fund, with an investment of €4 million to help organisations grow and thrive. Grants will support vital upgrades such as building improvements, new equipment, vehicles and other resources that allow the enterprises to expand their services and deepen their impact on communities right across Ireland.

The call for a central website dedicated to social enterprise supports and an annual calendar of funding opportunities through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht addresses two long-standing challenges: visibility and predictability. This kind of infrastructure would not only streamline access but also signal that the Government was serious about backing social enterprises as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth.

Social enterprises in Ireland make a significant impact where it matters most: supporting families through affordable childcare, strengthening communities with local services and infrastructure, delivering vital health and social care, and celebrating our culture through arts, heritage and creative industries. Let us continue to champion social enterprise, not just as a policy priority but also as a movement that reflects the best of who we are: resilient, compassionate and community driven.

Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Trading for Impact policy recognises the huge contribution of social enterprises. These are businesses that put people and communities before profit. They create jobs, support the most marginalised and drive local development and climate action.The policy sets out welcome goals on awareness, sustainability, the green transition, engagement and impact measurement. The policy falls short, however, as there is no clear legal framework. It leaves social enterprises in a grey zone. There is no long-term funding model, just short-term grants that block actual growth. There are 57 actions but little guarantee of resources. For example, the policy recognises the work of the community services programme, which supports community-based organisations providing an annual co-funding contribution towards the cost of employing a manager, an administrative worker or a caretaker, with one of its core aims being to promote and encourage social enterprises to become self-sustainable. The community services programme is invaluable to those who can access it. However, there is a disparity in the allocation of the funding through this programme. I am very concerned that County Cavan has the second-lowest spend per head of population on community services programmes, as it only has four active CSP projects whereas neighbouring counties have many more. For example, Monaghan has 11, Leitrim has 17 and Roscommon has 19. Why is this happening? I am unclear about what the issue is but I hope that it could be addressed.

Funding for staff, available through the CSP, is crucial for the sustainable growth of any social enterprise but not all social enterprises meet the CSP's criteria. For example, there is The Cottage Market Cavan. It is a social enterprise that provides a supportive route to market for small-scale growers and food producers, crafters, artists and community groups. People can either attend one of its events or go online and order a local green box, which is full of produce of one's choosing from farmers and food makers in Cavan and the other Border counties. People can collect their green boxes in either Cavan town or Ballyconnell on a Friday. Its online farmers' market and seasonal events represent what is local to Cavan and surrounding areas.

The Cottage Market Cavan is committed to creating local futures and building a sustainable planet-friendly community but it does not meet the criteria for CSP funding for staff. In light of this, it has been directed towards the Tús and community employment, CE, schemes but they are either full or, because The Cottage Market Cavan does not have a permanent business location, their support cannot be availed of.

The Cottage Market Cavan is recognised as a fantastic organisation for the county. It is continually asked to run events. It works extensively with all the agencies in Cavan: Cavan County Local development, the local enterprise office, Cavan County Council, LEADER, etc. It is extremely challenging for this enterprise to continue without funds for staffing.

That is just one example of a social enterprise in Cavan and of the difficulties it faces. There are many others in similar situations that fall short of various criteria within the various schemes. Enterprises like these need staffing supports in the first three to five years in order to be able to survive and become sustainable into the future. Sources of funding for social enterprises need to be more flexible so that they can respond to the specific needs of each individual social enterprise. Otherwise, we run the risk of losing them from our communities and that would be a significant loss.

In conclusion, I welcome the recognition of social enterprises but words are not enough. Communities need real delivery and proper investment. They need legislation that values social enterprises central to tackling inequality, building rural and regional economies and driving the green transition. Social enterprises already lead the way from childcare to recycling, from housing to renewable energy, but what they need now is certainty, support and respect. Sinn Féin will continue to press for stronger supports so that social enterprises can thrive and deliver for all our communities. While I welcome the policy, it needs to be much more specific in what resources it offers to social enterprises in our communities.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Tá fáilte romhat, a Aire Stáit. I, too, welcome the policy. Social enterprises have been called the quiet revolutionaries of our communities. We seem them right across the country - community cafés that support people with disabilities or mental health difficulties, recycling hubs, and enterprises supporting growers. Social enterprises want to provide solutions based on their inclusion model. The national social enterprise policy is a start. The commitment to social enterprise is wonderful. The idea of a social enterprise model and policies is growing across Europe. We need to encourage and lead that rather than follow and it is great to have this debate with a Minister of State.

Social enterprises, as has been said here, face barriers that traditional businesses do not. In my own area of Sligo and Leitrim, social enterprises often operate in areas where there is a lot of disadvantage and they have limited access to capital and skilled labour. Social enterprises come from a grassroots level and are being supported by the local LEADER partnerships, which is fantastic, and LEOs. I want to give a big shout out to the Sligo Women in Business Network, SWIBN, which does incredible work in the local enterprise office in Sligo.

In terms of actions that we would like to see, we need dedicated funding streams and a multi-annual funding model that allows for long-term planning. As often happens within the voluntary and community sector, there is a lack of multi-annual funding. I know this is a different matter, though.

I welcome the fact that the Minister of State mentioned the need to reform procurement. Too often, social enterprises are locked out of public contracts, so it is great to see that the Minister of State addressed that aspect in his opening remarks and he mentioned that the new policy included space for a social clause.

As has been said by colleagues across the House, social enterprise is not a mystery and we must ensure that education about it happens in schools, business courses, universities and training centres.

To pick up on what has been said by Senator Tully, my party views social enterprise as a way of creating community wealth but because there is not a dedicated person employed to do that, social enterprises can be locked out. I use Rossnowlagh Farmers Market, for example, which has created a space. There was very little available in the community, so it is a lot more than a farmers market. It creates community events, gives opportunities to growers, arranges workshops and provides a place where people can exchange creative skills and growing skills. My party would love to see the re-establishment of the co-operative development unit in the Department of enterprise. We would also like to see the audit threshold for charities increased to €500,000 and for a national body to be developed for the sector.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

When I talk about social enterprise, policy and Trading for Impact, they are something I know very well to the core. When I started an organisation called Tiglin 20 years ago, I did not have a grand plan. I literally bought a bus, converted it into a restaurant and got a bus licence, and I went out onto the streets after work. I used to park the bus under the Clerys clock on O'Connell Street where I met the most amazing people. These were people who were broken, marginalised, hungry, in addiction and often forgotten. They had been pushed to the margins of society. In stupidity and naivety, a number of us got together and bought the national mountaineering centre. Now, we have eight centres throughout Ireland. As I look back two decades later, I am reminded of what Steve Jobs from Apple said about how it was only when we look backwards that we can join all the dots. Now, it is somewhat coming together. We started off with a bus, but at the very heart of what Tiglin is is social enterprise, and that has been a huge journey for us.

Social enterprise itself is not about charity or business. It is a model that uses a business to deliver social good, where every euro of profit is reinvested into people, communities and futures. What I have found over these 20 years is that Tiglin has taken those who were written off, given them a position and shown that they are as good or bad as any one of us. I have seen this first hand. In recent years, we opened a new café right beside the sea in Greystones. We have housing, the café, a bakery, a sauna and a crèche. All of that is done as part of a social enterprise. It is a training ground, a stepping stone and a platform where young men and women, many of whom have faced addiction or homelessness, take their first steps back into employment.The customers in the community really buy into what we do. They might see a barista or a manager serving a flat white, but what I see is Tommy or Mary, people who I met years ago on the streets. I see a life that could have been lost, and now they are redirected into a future that is really bright. That is the genius of social enterprise; it tackles two challenges at once. It addresses the social challenges that I have mentioned regarding unemployment, exclusion and addiction, but it also drives local economic activity and that strengthens our towns and cities. We have opened a new cafe beside the Four Courts. It is called All Rise and it operates on the same basis. There you can see our guys and girls, trained managers and restaurateurs, and they are serving the judges and barristers from across the road.

Across Ireland there are community shops, as my colleagues have stated, repair cafes, housing projects and training hubs. All of these social enterprises are quietly transforming lives. They often occupy the spaces the State cannot reach quickly enough. They do it with innovation, compassion and, definitely, community spirit. We need to do more, however. If we are serious about addressing issues like homelessness, addiction and social inclusion, we have to see social enterprise as a key part of the national strategy. It should not be an optional add-on; it should be seen as a proven pathway to reintegration.

When we set out with Tiglin, it was never a vision to start a social enterprise. That became the case, however, and it was a game changer. In the past couple of years, a young lady lost her life in the community of Bray-Greystones. The young people got together after the funeral. They wanted to gather somewhere but they had nowhere to do so. We opened up our café to them. We now have a youth cafe in another building. We have a special psychologist who deals with adolescents and we have a Garda diversion project. All of that is funded from the social enterprise of Rise at the Cove Café.

As a nation, we have invested in infrastructure, technology and housing, but we need to invest in people through models of social enterprise. Social enterprise allows people not to just survive, it can allow them to thrive. When I look back after 20 years of Tiglin, I do not see just centres, cafés or projects; I see hundreds if not thousands of lives changed and families reunited. The communities in which we operate are definitely stronger. That is the true harvest of social enterprise. I ask that we remind ourselves that Ireland has always prided itself on its spirit of innovation and compassion. Social enterprise is underutilised and underemphasised. It is where the two traits of compassion and innovation meet. We need to champion it, scale it and fund it. I am not talking about millions; I am talking about support. When we do that, we are not just creating jobs, we are creating futures. I have the CVs of many people who I met in chaos and on the streets and who, today, have their families, management jobs and are doing so well in life. This is because of the investment in social enterprise.

Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I want to speak briefly about a social enterprise project I recently visited in south Wexford. I refer to the Helen Blake lifeboat restoration project, which is a really wonderful example of what is possible in the area of social enterprise. This is a story which was born out of a tragedy. On the 20 February 1914, a Norwegian ship, the SS Mexico, ran aground on rocks off the coast of Wexford during a serious storm. A lifeboat was dispatched from Fethard-on-Sea to rescue those on board. Unfortunately, nine of the 14 very brave crew members of the lifeboat, the Helen Blake, who set out on that rescue mission drowned. The lifeboat, with the five surviving crew members on board, continued on its journey and rescued the crew of the ship. As stated, this happened back in 1914. However, the story still resonates across south Wexford. Many of the descendants of the five survivors and the families of those who perished still live in Fethard-on-Sea.

The local community has come together and embarked on a social enterprise restoration project to create a replica of the Helen Blake lifeboat. Over the past number of years, members of the community, using some grant funding provided by the Department, have worked together on this project. The idea is that it would serve as a tourism initiative whereby individuals could come to Fethard-on-Sea, launch on the replica boat from the same area from which the original launched in 1914 and sail out and see the beautiful scenery that is to be found off the Wexford coastline. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of so many people involved with what is a very hard-working committee, it has become apparent that greater investment is needed. The project committee is locked out of grant applications because it drew down funding during the first and second stages. Given the increased costs involved in construction, particularly for timber, since Covid, the committee has discovered that the grants and the moneys raised through the initial fundraising that was done are not sufficient to see the project through to completion. This is an opportunity for a social enterprise project based in south Wexford. I encourage the Department to engage and work with me in respect of it. Let us see a boat that is 90% finished get all the way there. This should happen because of the historic story of the tragedy and the nature of the project for the communities in south Wexford, particularly that in Fethard-on-Sea.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Members for their very important contributions. I will work backwards from the final speaker. I look forward to visiting that project. If Senator Byrne wants to give me the details, I will happily engage with him on it.

In the context of the debate, there is more that unites us than divides us. In terms of the Cavan model or the Cavan numbers, we have to engage further because we have not got that detail. A lot of funding was given to Cavan We will come back on that because it is important that we take account of the overarching policy to deliver for all communities and for people. This is about delivery.

As Senator Lynch said, this is the keystone policy that does not forget any location. The Senator was right to mention a number of places, for example IRD Duhallow, which is a wonderful example, as is the one in Macroom. Rural-proofing is important. As the Senator pointed out, we should not forget rural Ireland. I agree wholeheartedly with that. The public consultation two years ago and the research we have commissioned both identified the importance of rural Ireland. Some 43% of our social enterprises are located in rural areas, where they should be. They provide opportunity in the context of the different matters that Senators Cosgrove, Goldsboro, Tully and Byrne referred to. The important point is that it is about removing the barriers. It is not about making profit; it is about the opportunity.

Senator Aubrey McCarthy spoke about Tiglin. As a community activist before I entered politics, as a politician and, now, as a Minister of State, I have discovered that it is about the opportunity. It is about the people who are in whatever position they are in the context of their imperfections. I hesitate to use the word "perfection" because none of us is perfect. It is about making communities better and about the lives that have been transformed. I recently had the pleasure of being with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray MacAdam, at the Dublin City Council enterprise awards. I was blown away by the people I met. It is about the transformative approach that has taken place and, as Senator Goldsboro said, it is the harnessing of people and bringing them together. If we do nothing else, we must recognise that the economic aspect is important. Well-being is equally important. As we have all said, it is about improving lives, transforming them and, very importantly, creating opportunities.It is about taking that model and acting on it. If you have ideas, we have heard about such ideas today, we will work on them.

I will deal with some of the points that have been raised in terms of developing the national body. Action 49 of Trading for Impact commits to enhancing the co-ordination of social enterprises. We are working with the representative bodies, whether it is SERI, ISEN, LDCN or The Wheel. As I said in my speech, they won the contract to support our Department in delivering the policies today. The national conferences, the awards, the traineeship programme and networking all help to develop a model.

As Members will know, CSP is in huge demand. It supports 430 community-based organisations and provides for what we all outlined in our contributions. Another thing it does sometimes gets lost. On occasion, you cannot measure the matrix, but it is supporting 1,700 full-time jobs and 340 people in managerial posts, all of which leads to a policy that is committed to making an impact in a positive way in our communities. In many ways, if you look at some of the failures in research and development, those involved would say that they would never start again. It is similar with social enterprise. They are not just businesses; they are businesses with a social conscience that are about not just empowering or re-educating people but about giving them an opportunity to recalibrate. As a former director of adult education, I met people every day who recognise the importance of their communities and of having the chance to do something and make a contribution. We saw this during Covid. Senator Cosgrove spoke about it in Sligo. I did not get the full name.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Sligo Women in Business Network, SWIBN.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Look at what SWIBN does as an example.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Brilliant.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is magnificent. I will happily visit with the Senator.

Nessa Cosgrove (Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would be delighted to.

Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister of State must visit Cavan too.

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They are in Ballina, Tipperary, Cork, Wexford and Cavan. It is just fantastic. I do not say this to be patronising, but it gives me hope, warms me and motivates me because they are risk-takers outside their comfort zone in many cases, but they are committed, dedicated, passionate and driving each other on and challenging us to continue to do better. I do not come to this job in terms of what I do with a know-all approach; I come to listen and to engage. I was in Bray recently. I am going to Athlone tomorrow for the SICAP conference. It is about recognising the value for our local economy and society.

It is my intention and that of the Minister, Deputy Calleary, to deliver on the implementation of the Trading for Impact social enterprise policy. That will not happen by chance; it will happen as a result of dedication and commitment. It reflects what we are all at. We are all ambitious, no matter what part of the jigsaw or circle of the wheel we are in. If you go back to my speech from the first iteration to where we are now, look at the model of IRD Duhallow that Senator Lynch spoke about. Look at what it is doing today in comparison with when it started. I was in Mayfield CDP on north side of Cork city on Friday. Thirty-five years ago, a group of women came together with Canon Donal Lenihan to form a CDP to bring opportunity to change the lives of people. Now, the needs and challenges are still there, but the engagement, inclusivity, drive, initiative and energy by a new group of people is still there.

The stakeholder engagement group piece is important. The group will oversee the delivery of the policy. As I said, it has begun its work. As I visit social enterprises throughout the country, what I see that at first hand. What we have heard today is about thriving sustainable organisations such as those in the circular economy and the green economy. The point we do not raise enough the contribution they make in terms of adding billions to our economy, while at the same time helping people in areas who perhaps you would not necessarily say were going to be here working to do this. We are all working together to make a better world and better Ireland.

What I, as Minister of State, want to do is continue to see investment. I accept the point about multi-annual funding. It is something we may need to do more of. We do it for capital projects. There is huge competition in terms of job retention and creation in certain sectors of our economy. I am a big believer in data collection, not just to show what we are doing right but also in order that we can learn the data as to how we can engage further. I hope the research we will accrue from this debate will lead us to make changes in the future. What we must do is continue to support and work with every sector to ensure that we put in place a strategy, whether it is rural Ireland or urban Ireland, that has a strong root that creates and cultivates enterprises that thrive and allow people to be creative.

I am very much committed to this. We must continue to put support in social enterprise in a targeted way. We will have that debate again in the future. I thank Senators for their contributions. I will come back to Senator Tully about Cavan. If she wants to email me or have another chat, we can do so.