Public Consultation on Draft National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland

Minister Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development has published a draft National Policy on Social Enterprise for public consultation and is seeking the views of stakeholders and the public to inform the policy.

The key objective of the Department is to offer a policy framework for the development of the not-for-profit sector and to provide a full range of appropriate supports to organisations in that sector to improve their capability to deliver services to individuals and communities, tackle social issues, and contribute to a fairer and more inclusive society.

In July 2017, policy responsibility for social enterprise was assigned to the Department of Rural and Community Development. The department has taken the lead on the government commitment in the Action Plan for Rural Development to develop and publish a National Policy on Social Enterprise which will encompass the full range of activity in this sector. We are now are draft policy stage  with public consultation an import element of moving the strategy forward.

Social Enterprise in Ireland

The draft policy states that “Social enterprises are part of the wider social economy and make a valuable contribution to the social and economic progress of Ireland through the creation of jobs and through the delivery of a broad range of services in areas such as homecare, child care, employment activation, retail, hospitality and catering environmental services, and social housing. They are innovative, entrepreneurial and are increasingly utilising new technologies and creative approaches to address social, socio-economic and environmental challenges”

The draft policy is focused on three objectives:

1. Building Awareness of Social Enterprise

2. Growing and Strengthening Social Enterprise

3. Achieving Better Policy Alignment

Why not have a say after reading the draft National Policy on Social Enterprise

The Minister is inviting the views of stakeholders on the draft policy. These views will contribute to the finalisation of an ambitious, achievable and fit-for-purpose National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland.The closing date for submissions is Tuesday 14th May 2019. You can send your submission by email to: SEConsultation@drcd.gov.ie.

Alternatively, responses can be posted to: Social Enterprise Policy,  Rural Strategy and Social Enterprise, Trinity Point, Leinster Street South, Ireland, D02 EF85

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