Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to acknowledge the valuable work of social enterprises, and the meaningful impact they have on the lives of people in our communities. They frequently work to support disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, the Traveller community, etc., or to address issues such as childcare, food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.

In July 2024 my department launched Trading for Impact the second national social enterprise policy. Trading for Impact has been designed to cultivate and sustain a strong and impactful social enterprise sector in Ireland that enriches the social, environmental, and economic wellbeing of our communities.

The policy details 57 concrete actions across five key objectives.

• Building Awareness of Social Enterprise
• Growing and Sustaining Social Enterprise
• Supporting the Green Transition
• National and International Engagement
• Impact Measurement

In line with one of the commitments in this policy, I announced the awardees of the ‘Dormant Accounts Fund Growing Social Enterprise Scheme 2024/2025’ earlier this week, together with Minister of State Buttimer. This €4 million scheme provided 126 social enterprises with grants of up to €97,000 to fund capital projects such as building works, renovations, repairs, or for the purchase of equipment or machinery that will enable social enterprises to grow.

My department also provides funding across a number of other schemes that social enterprises may be eligible for. These include the Community Services Programme (CSP), the Social Inclusion and Activation Programme (SICAP), and LEADER. Details of these schemes can be found at the links below:

CSP: www.gov.ie/en/service/f8f93d-apply-for-community-service-programme/

Leader: www.gov.ie/en/service/87e09-leader-programme-for-rural-development/

SICAP: www.pobal.ie/programmes/social-inclusion-and-community-activation-programme-sicap-2024-2028/

There are a wide range of business supports available to social enterprises through the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs), provided they operate on a commercial basis and meet the eligibility criteria of the scheme for which they wish to apply.

Social enterprises may be eligible for supports such as the free Digital for Business consultancy, Grow Digital Voucher, free Green for Business consultancy, the Energy Efficiency Grant, in addition to access to a wide range of high-quality business and management development programmes that are tailored to meet specific business requirements. More information on LEOs can be found here: www.localenterprise.ie/.

The Deputy will also be aware of the National Enterprise Hub, which can be used by social enterprises and provides a centralised signposting service for over 250 government or agency supports from 29 different departments and state agencies.

Information and support can be accessed through the website www.neh.gov.ie or by speaking to an advisor by phone or via live chat. This free service makes it easier to access and avail of business supports such as grants, funding, loans and expert advice across a range of sectors. It also aims to engage with small businesses who have yet to avail of government support.

I recommend that any social enterprise seeking supports should contact their nearest Local Development Company (LDC) for advice. LDCs can provide details of funding available across many government departments, and also provide details of training, mentoring and networking opportunities that may be available. A link to the Local Development Company Network, the representative body for LDCs can be found here:

Other organisations such as Rethink Ireland ( ) and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland ( www.socialentrepreneurs.ie/) may also be able to provide advice, funding and training.

Finally, the Department of Rural and Community Development maintains a Social Enterprise Supports Table that provides a list of supports available to social enterprises in Ireland. This includes information on the various sources of advice, networking, training, funding and financial supports social enterprises may avail of. This table can be found at:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/89e63-social-enterprise-supports-tables/