Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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471. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the timeline for the introduction of an annual social enterprise empowerment and development allocation to support sustainable job creation, affordable childcare provision and community-based services, including disability supports, as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13204/26]

Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)
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Social enterprises have an impact in communities all over Ireland. Their core objective is to use their operations and/or profits earned to make a positive impact in people’s lives and communities. I welcome the commitment outlined in the Programme for Government to continue to support the vital role of social entrepreneurship, recognising its value in the local economy and society.

In 2024 the Government published the most recent social enterprise policy: Trading for Impact, which covers the period up to 2027. The policy has five objectives, including Growing and Sustaining Social Enterprise, and a Stakeholder Engagement Group has been established to support the implementation of the Policy.

In terms of an annual Social Enterprise Empowerment and Development allocation (known as SEED funding), my officials are engaging with colleagues on this matter, as well as actively exploring with stakeholders how best to meet the challenges of the sector as they see them. As part of this work, a Census of Social Enterprises will be undertaken in the coming months. Building on the Baseline Data Collection Report published in 2023, this important research will provide insights into the sector and where key supports are required to support its financial sustainability and growth into the future.

My Department is also working on the development of a new Dormant Accounts Fund Scheme for social enterprises to help them grow their traded income and become more financially sustainable. This is in line with the objectives of the Policy. I hope to launch this scheme shortly and details will be available on my Department’s website.

I am fully committed to supporting social enterprises and recognise the value in investing and supporting the sector. I will continue to advocate strongly for additional supports and resources to ensure the sector is supported and sustained into the future.