4248. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if, further to the statement in the Programme for Government (details supplied) he will assist in progressing the development of a National Social Innovation Fund to assist consortia of organisations in collaborating to meet the challenges of an ageing society. [57638/26]

Trading for Impact, the National Social Enterprise Policy 2024-2027, was developed in partnership with the sector. Its key objectives are to help cultivate and sustain strong and impactful social enterprises that enrich the social, environmental, and economic well-being of people living in our communities.

A Stakeholder Engagement Group (SEG) has been set up to co-ordinate input into the delivery of Trading for Impact on a cross sectoral basis as well as various working groups to consider and advise on targeted developments to support it.

Officials in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht are engaging with colleagues to consider a new fund to assist social enterprises, in line with a Programme for Government commitment. Future funding to support the sector will be guided, in part, by the findings of a Census of Social Enterprises which was undertaken over the past few months. Building on the Baseline Data Collection Report published in 2023, this important research will provide insights into the sector and where key supports are required to support its development.

Additional funding of €400k was allocated to this policy area in Budget 2026. This will assist the Department, informed by the Stakeholder Engagement Group and the Working Groups where appropriate, to make sure that social enterprises are supported appropriately in line with the policy objectives.