Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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195. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the range of supports provided by his Department to social enterprises. [7912/22]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Policy responsibility for Social Enterprises lies with the Department of Rural and Community Development, which provides funding to Social Enterprises as defined by the National Social Enterprise Policy 2019 – 2022, with a view to complementing mainstream business supports.

The Local Enterprise Offices can assist in the establishment and/or development of new and existing enterprises (limited company, individuals/sole trader, cooperatives and partnerships), including those that are considered social enterprises, provided that such enterprises are capable of attaining commercial viability and subject to certain criteria.

Furthermore, the Local Enterprise Offices offer one to one Mentoring and Training services and a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes. These 'soft supports' are available to any small business, including those that would be considered Social Enterprises.

For further information on the supports available see the Local Enterprise Office Website at www.localenterprise.ie/Discover-Business-Supports/Financial-Supports/Eligibility-Criteria/Eligibility-Criteria.html.