Trading for Impact: Minister Buttimer Launches ‘The 2026 Social Enterprise Census’
-
From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 30 April 2026
- Last updated on: 21 May 2026
- Every social enterprise is called to complete the survey
- Important opportunity for social enterprises to influence future policy decisions, funding priorities, and support programme development
Minister for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, today (Thursday, 30 April 2026) announced the opening of the 2026 Social Enterprise Census. This will build on the information gathered during the Baseline Data Collection Exercise that took place in 2023.
Following a competitive, socially responsible tender process, Amárach Research, in partnership with Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI), were awarded the contract to deliver this project on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
Growing, strengthening and realising the impact of social enterprises within communities are key goals of the Government’s Social Enterprise Policy ‘Trading for Impact’, and this data is key to the continued targeted delivery of this policy, and how the sector will be supported into the future.
Making the announcement today, Minister Buttimer said:
“Social enterprises play a vital role in communities across the country. They deliver services for those who need them most, help with the green transition and increase our quality of life in Ireland and abroad. In order to continue to properly support them, we need to know more about the landscape in which they operate.
“This Census will help us understand where they are growing and where they need additional support to ensure decisions made about the sector are informed by the voices and experiences of those delivering real impact on the ground.
“For the first time, we will be able to conduct a comparative analysis between the data from 2023 and 2026, which will provide a strong evidence base to Government, along with those stakeholders we work in partnership with, to target our work to support the sector. I expect to have a report published before the end of 2026.”
The Minister concluded:
“I encourage every social enterprise regardless of size or sector to participate and ensure their voice is heard. There is strength in numbers, and the more responses we receive the better our understanding of the sector will be.”
Michael McLoughlin of Amárach Research, speaking on behalf of both consortium members, said:
“We are delighted to carry out the 2026 National Social Enterprise Census on behalf of DRCDG. Robust data is essential to understanding the needs of social enterprises and unlocking their full potential.
“Through this collaboration of consortium partners, Amárach Research, and SERI, we will provide the insights needed to inform decision-making, strengthen supports and ensure social enterprises can continue to deliver meaningful impact in communities nationwide.”
The census will be open until Sunday, 28 June, and can be accessed here.
Notes
Social Enterprises
Social enterprises are businesses that work primarily to improve the lives of people. Their core objective is to achieve a social, societal, or environmental impact. Like other businesses, social enterprises pursue their objectives by trading in goods and services on an ongoing basis.
However, surpluses generated by social enterprises are re-invested into achieving their core social objectives, rather than maximising profit for their owners. They frequently work to support disadvantaged groups such as the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities, the Traveller community, etc., or to address issues such as food poverty, social housing, or environmental matters.
National Social Enterprise Policy
Trading for Impact National Social Enterprise Policy 2024 – 2027 was launched by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht in July 2024. The policy is designed to help cultivate and sustain strong, impactful social enterprises in Ireland, that enrich the social, environmental and economic well-being of people living in our communities.
The Policy is focused on five main objectives:
- Building Awareness of Social Enterprise
- Growing and Sustaining Social Enterprise
- Achieving Better Policy Alignment
- National and International Engagement
- Impact Measurement
Trading for Impact Policy Measure 51
Over the course of the policy a periodic data collection exercise or ‘Social Enterprise Census’ will be undertaken. The research approach will continue to be refined in order to ensure the availability of up-to-date key data. This will allow for the continued growth of a strong national dataset on social enterprise and the identification of trends within the sector.
Consortium: SERI and Amárach Research
SERI, a practitioner led representative body for social enterprise, was formed in July 2020. They are dedicated to building a world class ecosystem for social enterprises across Ireland. Their aims are to grow the social enterprise sector to benefit all people and communities, to work with local and national government and, to connect private and social enterprise in a way never done before.
Amárach Research is one of Ireland’s leading independent market research agencies. They specialize in public and private sector research, providing insights on consumer behaviour, advertising effectiveness, and membership experiences through surveys, focus groups, and AI-powered analytics.
Both partners were part of the consortium that conducted the first Baseline Data Collection Exercise that was published in 2023. A link to the report can be found here: Social Enterprises in Ireland – A Baseline Data Collection Exercise