Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
37. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the steps his Department is taking to raise awareness of the social enterprise model and encourage entrepreneurship that delivers both economic and social value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13249/26]
View answerPolicy responsibility for social enterprises lies with the Department of Rural Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Trading for Impact: National Social Enterprise Policy 2024 -2027 was launched by the Minister for Rural and Community Development on July 24, 2024. The purpose of the policy is to help cultivate and sustain strong and impactful social enterprises in Ireland to enrich the social, environmental, and economic well-being of people living in our communities. The policy represents a strong commitment by Government to social enterprises and a recognition of their value and potential.
My Department through both the LEO Policy Statement 2024-2030 and Enterprise Ireland’s strategy ‘Delivering for Ireland, Leading Globally’ recognise that social enterprises are a valuable part of our economy.
Actions 15 and 16 of the National Social Enterprise Policy refer to providing a consistent service to social enterprises and providing greater access to supports through Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.
Enterprise Ireland in partnership with the LEOs, will work with social enterprises in a targeted way to support those with job creation and export potential and with those addressing sustainability and circular economy challenges.
The Local Enterprise Offices, located in the 31 Local Authorities, continue to foster a strong entrepreneurial culture and promote enterprise nationally. The LEO Policy Statement emphasises a consistency of approach across the LEO network and a clear intention to show that LEOs are, and remain, the first stop shop for all businesses regardless of sector.
Officials of my Department and representatives of the Local Enterprise Office Network have met with representative bodies for social enterprises over the past number of years to clarify the position of the LEOs and reassure them that the supports available through the LEOs are available to social enterprises, subject to the general eligibility criteria.
