Some 25,000 jobs could be created in Ireland’s social enterprise sector. That’s according to a new report by Forfás that has resulted in Innovation Minister Sean Sherlock, TD, being tasked by the Taoiseach to lead efforts to exploit the opportunity.
The Forfás report Social Enterprise in Ireland – Sectoral Opportunities and Policy Issues claims the sector has the capacity to double employment with the creation of an additional 25,000 jobs by 2020.
Social enterprises are business models set up to tackle social, economic or environmental issues. Some social enterprises engage in trading or commercial activities to pursue their objectives and any surplus earned is re-invested in the social objective.
The sector employs more than 25,000 people in more than 1,400 social enterprises in Ireland, with a combined total income of around €1.4bn. The Forfás report has found that there is potential to double employment in the sector over the period to 2020.
A key finding of the Forfás report is that a coherent national policy across Government is necessary if the sector is to achieve its potential.
“The social enterprise sector has played a key role in Irish society and in the economy for many years,” said Sherlock.
“Social enterprises offer jobs across a range of skill sets, and provide services and employment in many local and rural communities. That is why as part of the Action Plan for Jobs we have committed to supporting the development of a vibrant social enterprise sector.
“It has huge potential for employment growth,” he added.
Enterprise image via Shutterstock
