Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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61. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has had any interaction with a project (details supplied) that provides a blueprint for advanced skills and training in the social economy; and if a commitment will be given to work with the project. [9237/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) was established in July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland. A vibrant social economy should be seen as an essential part of developing a sustainable, resource efficient and competitive economy.

I can confirm that I have had no engagement with the project referenced by the Deputy. However, I would note that social enterprises are key players in the social economy and my Department is focussed on the continued implementation of the National Social Enterprise policy, and the development of its successor.

One of the main objectives of the National Social Enterprise policy for Ireland was Growing and strengthening social enterprises. In 2019 my Department provided €800,000 for a Training and Mentoring pilot scheme for social enterprises, which provided support on topics such as business planning, leadership, governance, capacity building, financial planning and digital innovation. This scheme has supported 14 projects and benefited approximately 400 participants.

In 2020 I launched the COVID-19 Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme to help social enterprises to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and re-calibrate their businesses. The €945,000 scheme provided training in areas such as governance and digital skills.