Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1325. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeline for establishing a trading for impact stakeholder engagement group to coordinate input into the delivery of the 'Trading for Impact' National Social Enterprise Policy 2024-2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43900/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Trading for Impact, the second National Social Enterprise Policy was launched in July 2024. Similar to the first policy, it was developed in partnership with the sector, and its development included bi-lateral meetings with key stakeholders, regional stakeholder engagement events, and a public consultation.

Implementation of the actions under the policy will also require a collaborative approach on the part of a wide range of stakeholders. Action 56 of the new policy commits to the establishment of a group to co-ordinate input into the delivery of the policy. The group will include representation from key government departments, public bodies, and social enterprise stakeholders.

My Department is currently considering the membership of the Stakeholder Engagement Group to ensure balanced and informed discussion during the lifetime of Trading for Impact. Invitations will issue shortly to key government departments, social enterprise representative bodies and other stakeholders for them to propose suitable candidates.

It is my intention that the first meeting of the Trading for Impact Stakeholder Engagement Group will take place as soon as is practicable, in late 2024 or early 2025.