Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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58. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans for a national census of social enterprise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27818/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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.

One of the most important measures in the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 calls for improved data relating to the extent of social enterprise in Ireland and the areas in which they operate. Historically, the lack of concrete data has impeded efforts regarding the provision of supports for, and raising awareness of social enterprise.

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 the first baseline data gathering exercise of social enterprise in Ireland. My Department included a social considerations clause in the tender to ensure meaningful partnership and collaboration with social enterprise stakeholders and network.

I am pleased to see that all social enterprise networks and support organisations are engaging with the project. This is critically important to ensure maximum inclusivity and to ensure the results are representative. 

The survey will identify key data, in aggregate form, 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.

I urge every social enterprise to take part in the survey, which is a unique opportunity to establish a reliable evidence base necessary for future policy development and delivery, which will benefit the whole sector.