Irish Social Enterprise Network

Lobbying Organisation Irish Social Enterprise Network

Date published 15 May, 2017

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Economic Development and Industry

Period 1 Jan, 2017 to 30 Apr, 2017

Specific Details The Irish Social Enterprise Network was asked to give an overview of the state of social enterprise organisations in Ireland. We spoke about community benefit clauses and social enterprises receiving the same support that trading private organisations receive

Intended results To acknowledge the role of social enterprises in a progressive modern economy. We wanted to convey the challenges of the sector and have their needs understood.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Chris Gordon

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

A letter was sent to the Minister after the Minister announced a broad plan for social enterprises in Ireland in January 2017. We were phoned to come in to speak to the Minister where we spoke about the social enterprise sector in Ireland

Email (1)

Email sent 3rd January Dear Minister Ring I am writing on behalf of the Irish Social Enterprise Network in response to your announcement reported in the Independent (http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/longawaited-social-enterprise-strategy-on-way-35331262.html). We are the representative body for social enterprises and would be keen to meet with you to discuss the issues affecting social enterprises. Please find out letter attached. If you could reply on receipt of this email, I would be grateful Yours faithfully Chris Gordon

Meeting (1)

Invited to speak to the Minister in the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation to speak about the topics mentioned above.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Michael Ring Minister of State (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)

William Parnell, Assistant Secretary (Department of Regional Development, Rural Affairs, Arts and the Gaeltacht)