Carol Nolan highlights rural social enterprises and Offaly support
Carol Nolan spoke in support of social enterprises, praising the Offaly Local Development Company and urging more protection and funding. She outlined local examples, the services the development company provides, and national statistics on social enterprises.
The speaker described the Offaly Local Development Company as a key local provider that supports voluntary groups and individuals across County Offaly who are running or planning social enterprises. She encouraged constituents thinking of setting up a social enterprise to contact the company or visit its website for help.
She outlined the supports available from the development company, including mentoring for staff or board members, facilitated training, information and networking opportunities to enhance project skills. She said one of the main services is assisting groups in accessing local and national financial supports such as grant applications.
The speech named local projects that have received support, including Bar Swimming Pool, Pullock Community Shop, Moneygall Community Gym and a Meals on Wheels programme that serves South Offaly and West Offaly. These were cited as examples of the practical impact of social enterprise support.
She highlighted national figures mentioned in the speech: of some 4,300 social enterprises, 43% are in rural areas and they make a significant employment contribution. The speaker also noted that 69% of people employed by social enterprises are women, underlining their role in rural communities.
She concluded by stressing the vital importance of protecting these organisations, ensuring they remain in place in rural Ireland and are properly financed and supported so they can continue their work.
Local support in Offaly
The speaker described the Offaly Local Development Company as a key local provider that supports voluntary groups and individuals across County Offaly who are running or planning social enterprises. She encouraged constituents thinking of setting up a social enterprise to contact the company or visit its website for help.
Services and practical assistance
She outlined the supports available from the development company, including mentoring for staff or board members, facilitated training, information and networking opportunities to enhance project skills. She said one of the main services is assisting groups in accessing local and national financial supports such as grant applications.
Examples of community projects
The speech named local projects that have received support, including Bar Swimming Pool, Pullock Community Shop, Moneygall Community Gym and a Meals on Wheels programme that serves South Offaly and West Offaly. These were cited as examples of the practical impact of social enterprise support.
National profile and workforce impact
She highlighted national figures mentioned in the speech: of some 4,300 social enterprises, 43% are in rural areas and they make a significant employment contribution. The speaker also noted that 69% of people employed by social enterprises are women, underlining their role in rural communities.
Call to protect and finance social enterprises
She concluded by stressing the vital importance of protecting these organisations, ensuring they remain in place in rural Ireland and are properly financed and supported so they can continue their work.
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Transcript
Minister, I'm delighted to speak on this motion here this evening and we know that there are great examples of social enterprise organisations throughout this country who are all doing fantastic work, including Offaly Local Development Company in my own constituency of County Offaly. The Offaly Local Development Company that we're fortunate to have in Offaly supports voluntary groups, individuals all across Offaly who are already running or thinking of setting up a social enterprise. These supports come in many formats from individual staff or board member mentoring and guidance to the provision of facilitated relevant training, information or networking opportunities that will enhance the skills of those involved in the project. I encourage all of my constituents who may be thinking of setting up a social enterprise to contact Offaly Local Development Company or to go to its website. They have already played a significant and very important role with respect to Bar Swimming Pool, Pullock Community Shop, Moneygall Community Gym and also a Meals on Wheels programme which serves South Offaly and West Offaly. One of the main supports of course is assisting in the accessing of local and national financial support such as grant applications. This can be very, very useful and helpful for groups of people who are thinking of setting up a social enterprise. This is a vitally important service because, as we know, trying to access finance is one of the most time-consuming and challenging aspects of getting anything done at community level. It is great, as I say, that we have the benefit of Offaly Local Development Company to assist. I was interested to note some other interesting facts about social enterprises which really do highlight their ongoing value and their importance in all of our communities and particularly in rural communities. The fact, for example, that of the 4,300 social enterprises nationally, 43% are in rural areas supporting a significant employment contribution. That factor is really significant and, as I say, it is so important that we protect them and maintain them in rural Ireland. These are also predominantly composed of women who represent 69% of the total people employed by social enterprises. These are very valuable insights into the very positive role that social enterprises play in many rural communities such as my own in County Offaly. I want to conclude by saying that it is absolutely vital that we support the great work that these social enterprises are doing. We have to protect them, make sure they stay there and make sure that they are financed and supported in every way possible. Thank you very much.