Preasráiteas: Aitheantas tugtha agus ceiliúradh déanta ar phríomhfhiontair Shóisialta na hÉireann ag na Gradaim Náisiúnta Fiontar Sóisialta i Luimneach
Press Release
Friday, 9 October 2026
Ireland’s leading Social Enterprises recognised and celebrated at the National Social Enterprise Awards in Limerick
- Ireland’s leading social enterprises, social entrepreneurs, volunteers, and sector champions attended the National Social Enterprise Awards 2026 in DANCE, Limerick
- 8 winning social enterprises from around the country across eight categories, with one Social Enterprise, Education for Sustainability, a climate literacy initiative delivering programmes across our schools, communities and businesses, announced as the Overall Winner
- A special ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ was made to John P. Murphy, Chief Executive of Speedpak, who has championed social enterprise in Ireland for more than two decades, with Nelia Rareza announced as “Volunteer of the Year” for her work with The Great Care Co-op in championing the rights of migrant workers
Minister Jerry Buttimer TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities, today (Friday, 9 October), provided the welcome address at the 2nd National Social Enterprise Awards to an audience gathered from across the social enterprise sector.
Ireland’s leading social enterprises, social entrepreneurs, volunteers, and sector champions gathered at DANCE Limerick for the National Social Enterprise Awards 2026, an event dedicated to recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution that social enterprises make to communities across the country.
In his keynote address, Minister of State for Community Development, Jerry Buttimer TD, stated:
“Social enterprises show us what businesses can achieve when they are driven by purpose and inclusion, not just by profit. The innovators here today put equality, community and sustainability at the heart of their business models and deliver a wide impact both nationally and locally. By entering these awards, you are helping to building awareness of social enterprise, the good that it delivers, and helping society see the value of social enterprises in our communities, across the city and the country.”
The awards recognise the vision, innovation and commitment of social enterprises that are addressing social challenges, strengthening communities and creating opportunities for people across Ireland. A total of 11 awards were presented across categories including Care, Disability & Inclusion, Up & Coming Social Enterprise and Social Enterprise of the Year.
The ceremony showcased finalists from across a range of categories reflecting the diversity and impact of Ireland’s social enterprise sector, alongside nominees for the Lifetime Achievement Award and Social Enterprise Volunteer of the Year Award. The event is also a recognition of the individuals whose vision, dedication and leadership have helped social enterprises flourish in communities throughout Ireland.
From strengthening mental health literacy, the first worker owned care co-operative to delivering climate literacy programmes in our schools, communities and businesses, these remarkable organisations use a range of creative ways to make progress on issues including unemployment, mental health and environmental sustainability.
The Awards are supported by the Department of Rual and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under the National Social Enterprise Policy 2024-2027, Trading for Impact, to increase awareness of and showcase the sector.
The awards were organised on behalf of the Department by a consortium of bodies involved in the social enterprise space who have been engaged by the Department to help deliver a number of the Policy’s actions: the Local Development Company Network (LDCN), Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI), Irish Social Enterprise Network (ISEN), and the Wheel.
Speaking at the awards, Minister Buttimer said:
“The social enterprise sector is growing, along with the wider social economy. It is playing an increasingly important role in delivering positive responses to our social and societal issues. The work they deliver throughout Ireland is important to so many communities. They are tangibly helping to address many of the key issues affecting society while providing employment, opportunities and making a positive impact.
“I hope these awards are an inspiration for others to consider how starting a social enterprise can help sustain their own communities.”
Also speaking at the awards, Máirín O Cuireáin, CEO of the LDCN (Local Development Company Network) said:
“The response to this year’s Awards has been exceptional. The volume, diversity and quality of applications were extraordinarily high, reflecting the strength, ambition and growing impact of Ireland’s social enterprise sector.
“While the Awards recognise a small number of winners, they also acknowledge the commitment, leadership and determination of the many people who work tirelessly every day to deliver positive social change through their organisations. Every finalist and nominee should be immensely proud of their achievements.”
The National Social Enterprise Awards are sponsored by Community Finance Ireland, which has played a longstanding role in supporting social enterprises and community organisations through social finance.
Addressing the ceremony, Donal Traynor, CEO of Community Finance Ireland, said:
“Community Finance Ireland is proud to support the National Social Enterprise Awards and help recognise the organisations and individuals who are creating lasting social impact throughout Ireland.
“Social enterprises demonstrate every day that business can be a force for good. They are developing practical solutions to local needs, generating employment, promoting inclusion, and contributing to more resilient communities. These Awards provide an important opportunity to celebrate that contribution and to acknowledge the dedication of the people who lead and sustain these organisations.
“We congratulate all finalists and nominees celebrating their achievements here today in Limerick.”
Speaking to the nominees and awardees, Minister Buttimer concluded:
“I see huge potential for the sector in the years ahead. I look forward to working closely with you, and seeing your work supported by my Department in continued partnership with stakeholders in the sector, through the delivery of our Policy.”
Preasráiteas
Dé hAoine 9 Deireadh Fómhair 2026
Aitheantas tugtha agus ceiliúradh déanta ar phríomhfhiontair Shóisialta na hÉireann ag na Gradaim Náisiúnta Fiontar Sóisialta i Luimneach
- D’fhreastail na fiontair shóisialta, fiontraithe sóisialta, oibrithe deonacha, agus laochra earnála is mó le rá in Éirinn ar Ghradaim Náisiúnta Fiontar Sóisialta 2026 in DANCE Limerick
- 8 bhfiontar shóisialta ó fud fad na tíre a bhuaigh in ocht gcatagóir, le Fiontar Sóisialta amháin, Education for Sustainability, ar tionscnamh litearthachta aeráide é a sholáthraíonn cláir ar fud ár scoileanna, pobal agus gnólachtaí, fógartha mar Bhuaiteoir Foriomlán
- Tugadh ‘Gradam Saoil’ speisialta do John P. Murphy, Príomhfheidhmeannach Speedpak, atá ag cur fiontraíocht shóisialta chun cinn in Éirinn le breis is fiche bliain, agus fógraíodh Nelia Rareza mar ‘Oibrí Deonach na Bliana’ as a hobair le The Great Care Co-Op chun cearta oibrithe imirceacha a chur chun cinn
Inniu (Dé hAoine 9ú Deireadh Fómhair) thug an tAire Jerry Buttimer TD, Aire Stáit sa Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta le freagracht speisialta as Forbairt Pobail agus Carthanachtaí, an t-aitheasc oscailte ag na dara Gradaim Náisiúnta Fiontar Sóisialta os comhair lucht féachana a tháinig ó fud fad earnáil na bhfiontar sóisialta.
Tháinig na fiontair shóisialta, fiontraithe sóisialta, oibrithe deonacha, agus laochra earnála is mó le rá in Éirinn le chéile ag DANCE Limerick i gcomhair Ghradaim Náisiúnta Fiontar Sóisialta 2026, ar imeacht é atá dírithe ar aitheantas a thabhairt agus ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an mhéid éachtach a dhéanann fiontair shóisialta ar son pobal ar fud na tíre.
Ina eochairaitheasc, dúirt an tAire Stáit don Fhorbairt Pobail, Jerry Buttimer TD:
“Taispeánann fiontair shóisialta dúinn cad is féidir le gnólachtaí a bhaint amach nuair atá cuspóir agus ionchuimsiú mar spreagadh acu, seachas an brabús amháin. Tá comhionannas, pobal agus inbhuanaitheacht á gcur ag croílár a múnlaí gnó ag na nuálaithe atá anseo inniu, chun tionchar leathan a imirt go náisiúnta agus go háitiúil. Trí chur isteach ar na gradaim seo, tá sibh ag cabhrú le feasacht a chothú ar fhiontraíocht shóisialta, an mhaitheas a dhéanann sé, agus cuireann sé in iúl don tsochaí luach na bhfiontar sóisialta inár bpobail, ar fud cathracha agus sa tír.”
Tugtar aitheantas leis na gradaim d’fhís, nuálaíocht agus dúthracht na bhfiontar sóisialta atá ag dul i ngleic le dúshláin shóisialta, ag neartú pobal agus ag cruthú deiseanna do dhaoine ar fud Éireann. Bronnadh 11 gradam ar an iomlán thar chatagóirí amhail Cúram, Míchumas & Ionchuimsiú, Fiontar Sóisialta atá ag Teacht chun Cinn, agus Fiontar Sóisialta na Bliana.
Bhí iomaitheoirí sa tsearmanas ó réimse catagóirí a léirigh éagsúlacht agus tionchar earnáil fiontraíochta sóisialta na hÉireann, in éineacht le hainmnithe don Ghradam Saoil agus do Ghradam Oibrí Deonach Fiontair Shóisialta na Bliana. Is aitheantas é an t-imeacht orthu siúd a chabhraigh le fiontair shóisialta teacht faoi bhláth i bpobail ar fud na tíre trína bhfís, a ndúthracht, agus a gceannaireacht.
Idir litearthacht mheabhairshláinte a neartú, an chéad chomharchumann cúraim faoi úinéireacht oibrithe, agus cláir litearthachta aeráide a sholáthar inár scoileanna, pobail agus gnólachtaí, baineann na heagraíochtaí iontacha seo úsáid as réimse bealaí cruthaitheacha chun dul i ngleic le dúshláin amhail dífhostaíocht, meabhairshláinte agus inbhuanaitheacht chomhshaoil.
Tá an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail agus Gaeltachta ag tacú leis na Gradaim faoin Bheartas Náisiúnta Fiontar Sóisialta 2024-2027, Trádáil ar mhaithe le Tionchar, chun feasacht ar an earnáil a ardú agus í a chur os comhair an phobail.
Ba chuibhreannas eagraíochtaí, a bhfuil baint acu le réimse na bhfiontar sóisialta, a d’eagraigh na gradaim thar ceann na Roinne. Tá na heagraíochtaí seo i mbun oibre don Roinn ar mhaithe le roinnt de ghníomhartha an Bheartais a thabhairt i gcrích: Líonra na gCuideachtaí Forbartha Áitiúla (LCFÁ), Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI), Líonra Fiontar Sóisialta na hÉireann (LFSÉ), agus The Wheel.
Dúirt an tAire Buttimer, agus é ag labhairt ag na gradaim:
“Tá fás ag teacht ar earnáil na bhfiontar sóisialta, agus ar an ngeilleagar sóisialta i gcoitinne. Tá borradh ag teacht freisin faoi thábhacht a róil ó thaobh réitigh dhearfacha a thabhairt ar ár bhfadhbanna sóisialta agus sochaíocha. Is tábhachtach an obair a dhéanann siad fud fad na hÉireann leis an iliomad pobal. Is léir go bhfuil siad ag dul i ngleic le cuid mhór de na príomhfhadhbanna atá ag an tsochaí, agus iad ag cur fostaíocht agus deiseanna ar fáil agus ag imirt tionchair dhearfaigh.
“Tá súil agam go mbeidh na gradaim seo ina spreagadh do dhaoine eile chun machnamh a dhéanamh ar a bpobail féin a chothú trí fhiontar sóisialta a thosú.”
Agus í ag labhairt ag na gradaim freisin, dúirt Máirín Ó Cuireáin, POF Líonra na gCuideachtaí Forbartha Áitiúla:
“Fuarthas freagra sármhaith ar Ghradaim na bliana seo. “Thar barr a bhí líon, éagsúlacht agus caighdeán na n-iarratas, a léiríonn neart agus uaillmhian earnáil fiontraíochta sóisialta na hÉireann, agus a tionchar, atá ag dul i méid.
“Cé gur beag an líon buaiteoirí a aithnítear leis na Gradaim, aithníonn siad freisin an dúthracht, an cheannaireacht agus an díograis atá ag an iliomad daoine a oibríonn gan stad gach lá chun athrú sóisialta dearfach a bhaint amach trína n-eagraíochtaí. Ba cheart go mbeidh fíorbhród ag gach iomaitheoir agus ainmní as a bhfuil bainte amach acu.”
Tá na Gradaim Náisiúnta Fiontar Sóisialta á n-urrú ag Community Finance Ireland, atá ag tacú le fiontair shóisialta agus eagraíochtaí pobail trí airgeadas sóisialta le fada an lá.
Agus é ag labhairt leis an tsearmanas, dúirt Donal Traynor, POF Community Finance Ireland:
“Tá bród ar Community Finance Ireland as a bheith ag tacú leis na Gradaim Náisiúnta Fiontar Sóisialta agus as cabhrú le haitheantas a thabhairt d’eagraíochtaí agus do dhaoine aonair atá ag imirt tionchar sóisialta marthanach ar fud Éireann.
“Léiríonn fiontair shóisialta gach lá gur féidir le gnólachtaí oibriú ar son na maithe coitinne. Tá réitigh phraiticiúla ar riachtanais áitiúla á bhforbairt acu, in éineacht le fostaíocht a chruthú, ionchuimsiú a chur chun cinn, agus oibriú chun cur le hacmhainneacht pobal. Is deis thábhachtach iad na Gradaim seo chun an obair sin a cheiliúradh agus aitheantas a thabhairt do dhúthracht na ndaoine a stiúrann agus a chothaíonn na heagraíochtaí seo.
“Gabhann muid ár gcomhghairdeas le gach iomaitheoir agus ainmní atá ag ceiliúradh a n-éachtaí anseo inniu i Luimneach.”
Ar deireadh, dúirt an tAire Buttimer, agus é ag labhairt leis na hainmnithe agus na buaiteoirí:
“Is mór an acmhainn a fheicim san earnáil seo sna blianta amach romhainn. Táim ag súil go mór lena bheith ag obair go dlúth libh, agus leis an tacaíocht a thabharfaidh mo Roinn do bhur n-obair i gcomhar leanúnach le geallsealbhóirí san earnáil, trínár mBeartas a thabhairt i gcrích.”