ILDN WELCOMES GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO AWARD THE CONTRACT TO OPERATE the FIRST NATIONAL SOCIAL ENTERPRISE CENSUS TO CONSORTIUM OF SERI, ILDN AND AMÁRACH CONSULTING.
The Irish Local Development Network the national body representing Ireland’s 49 Local Development Companies have today welcomed the decision by the Department of Rural and Community Development to award the contract to implement Ireland’s first National Social Enterprise Census to a consortium comprising SERI (Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland), ILDN and Amárach Consulting.
ILDN members have a network of over 80 social enterprise support officers nationwide who deliver a wide range of supports to social enterprises through the LEADER, SICAP, Social Enterprise Regeneration Programme and the Community Services Programme.
Welcoming the announcement, ILDN CEO Joe Saunders said; “the significant benefit for Irish communities and society generally is that, for the first time, we will get a comprehensive picture of the impact of the sector that will allow for more accurate planning and resourcing. The Social Enterprise sector is a huge contributor to economic well-being and social justice in this country and ILDN welcomes the opportunity to play a further role in developing its future.”
ILDN Chairperson, Jim Finn, commented that “the Minister for Rural and Community Development and her officials are to be commended for recognising the need for this pioneering Census and for ensuring the resources to operate it.”
The National Social Enterprise Census will be completed in the second half of 2022.
