Written answers

Tuesday, 17 January 2017

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Social Enterprise Sector

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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786. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to publish a national policy on social enterprise in 2017; the consultations which have taken place to date; the likely timescale for the publication of such a policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1459/17]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The 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 engage with the social enterprise sector and provide supports 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.

In order to develop a more co-ordinated approach to the social enterprise sector in Ireland and to maximise its potential,I intend todevelop and publish a National Policy on Social Enterprise before end 2017, following consultation with key stakeholders and relevant Government Departments and agencies.

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