Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment is responsible for broader enterprise policy and its White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030, confirms that social enterprises are an important and growing part of Ireland’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, creating jobs and stimulating local economic activity.

Falling under my Department’s policy responsibility, social enterprises operate a ‘profit for purpose’ business model. They work primarily to improve social, economic and environmental impact and the lives of people, with any surpluses generated re-invested into achieving their core objectives. They frequently work to support disadvantaged groups, or to address issues such as food poverty, housing, or environmental matters.

Social enterprises are playing an increasing role in the circular economy, as recognised in the Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy 2022-2023. The Department of Climate, Energy and Communications has confirmed it is developing a successor Circular Economy strategy and my officials will engage with that Department in that regard.

The Circular Economy Innovation Grant Scheme, launched in 2021 by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications supports circular economy projects by SMEs and social enterprises. Social enterprises, including those focusing on circular economy can avail of a variety of funding opportunities through my Department. For example, the Social Enterprise Scaling up fund provided €1.4 million to 19 social enterprises in 2023.

My Department is currently finalising a new National Social Enterprise Policy to cover the years 2024-2027. One of the proposed pillar themes within that policy is climate action including the circular economy. A public consultation on the new policy launched in December 2023 is open until the end of January and can be accessed on the Department’s website. The consultation document signals Government’s intent to develop further opportunities for social enterprises to deliver on Government climate action targets, and facilitate the inclusion of social enterprises in relevant support schemes related to the circular economy.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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While my colleague, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly T.D., is responsible for remote delivery of health services, there are a number of initiatives underway in my Department which will be of interest to the Deputy.

One of the key focuses of Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy 2021-2025, is optimising digital connectivity to support vibrant, sustainable rural communities. I want to close the digital divide between rural and urban communities and ensure that those living in rural communities are provided with the same opportunities as those in larger urban areas. I am working to achieve this ambition by providing significant funding and support through my Department.

The Broadband Connection Point (BCP) initiative has brought connectivity to almost 300 publicly available sites across the country. BCPs are located in publicly accessible buildings, such as community centres, sports clubs and libraries that allow the public to access the internet on site. They are located in some of the most rural communities throughout each local authority area, including islands off Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Cork.

My Department has facilitated a number of projects which will take advantage of the opportunities that connectivity and remote delivery offers, and provide solutions to challenges or address gaps in service that have been identified by the Department, local authority or other stakeholders. Projects in thematic areas such as Remote Working, Digital Skills and Education, eHealth and Arts and Culture have been developed in partnership with key stakeholders and rolled out to suitable BCPs across the network.

Our Rural Futurealso committed to the establishment a comprehensive, integrated national network of Remote Working Hubs over the lifetime of the policy. Connected Hubs (www.connectedhubs.ie), a Government of Ireland initiative, was launched in May 2021. It is a single network of remote working hubs nationwide that provides users with information on facilities available in each hub, location and a booking and payment service.

The Connected Hubs initiative has grown substantially since its launch and currently has some 340 hubs live on the platform. A number of initiatives have been developed via the Connected Hubs network that benefit the wider community. For example, 'Learning in the Hubs' is a partnership between Technology University of the Shannon and Connected Hubs that enables adult learners to undertake part-time courses together in local hubs with state-of-the-art facilities. The concept allows students to remain in their own locality to study, while also providing a space to meet and network with other students. 'Art In the Hub' is a collaboration between Connected Hub members and the Contemporary Irish Art Society that places art in participating remote working facilities across the country.