Key Report on Social Enterprise in Ireland Launched

• For the first time in Ireland, ‘Social Enterprises in Ireland: A Baseline Data Collection Exercise’ provides key data on social enterprise.
• The data indicates that:
  • there are 4,335 social enterprises in Ireland, employing 84,382 people or 3% of the Irish workforce.
  • a further 74,824 volunteers work in social enterprises, including 30,324 board members.
  • the total income of social enterprise was €2.34 billion in 2021.
  • 15% of the social enterprises in Ireland operate internationally as well as nationally.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, TD, has launched ‘Social Enterprises in Ireland: A Baseline Data Collection Exercise’.

One of the most important measures in the National Social Enterprise Policy was the need for improved data relating to the extent of social enterprise in Ireland and the areas in which they operate. Historically, the lack of concrete data has impeded efforts regarding raising awareness, and the provision of supports for social enterprise.

In 2022, the Department of Rural and Community Development commissioned a consortium including Amárach Research, Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) and the Irish Local Development Network (ILDN) to conduct the Baseline Data Gathering Exercise of Social Enterprise in Ireland.

In partnership with the social enterprise sector, an online survey was developed and published. Over 800 social enterprises completed the survey.

Read the full report via the button below:

Social Enterprises in Ireland – A Baseline Data Collection Exercise