The Irish Social Enterprise Network are calling on Enda Kenny for the appointment of a Social Enterprise Ministerial position to be created with the resources needed to back the sector.
Chris Gordon, Chair of the Irish Social Enterprise Network, stated “We are calling on the appointment of a Social Enterprise Minister to give weight to the long overlooked sector. While we have previously gained Ministerial posts, neither Minister had resources at their disposal to impact meaningful change.”
“We are seeking a Minister with a portfolio backed with resources to make a difference. As an example. with the New Children’s Hospital being built, we have seen that there is an opportunity to include social enterprise owned by the communities surrounding the hospital, to serve the needs of the hospital, boosting jobs and potentially keeping resources in the hospital area. There is an opportunity right now for a Minister to make a decisive difference and we call upon Enda Kenny to appoint a Minister with special responsibility to develop the area.”
There were two previous Ministers for Social Enterprise including Sean Sherlock and Ann Phelan. The Irish Social Enterprise Network are seeking for the inclusion of
- Social Impact Clauses in all public tenders
- A social enterprise legal formation (namely a Community Interest Company Model)
- A resourced network for social enterprise to develop the sector
