Social enterprises conference

SOCIAL enterprises contribute €2.6 billion to the Irish economy, providing employment for 88,000 people, according to recent research.

To highlight its importance business leaders including Senator Feargal Quinn, president of Superquinn, Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher and Martin Murphy of HP Ireland, have endorsed a major conference to be held in Belfast on June 10 that will highlight the critical role of social business activity.

The business leaders were unveiling the first all-Ireland trade event, netWORKS 2008 for social enterprises, which will take place at St George’s market in Belfast.

Senator Quinn said social enterprises “have a distinct and important contribution to make in terms of their impact on local communities, particularly in areas of economic disadvantage and must be at the forefront of driving economic development”.

The conference is geared to provide those involved with a platform to develop new networks and business opportunities across the private and public sector in Ireland.

Ulster Community Investment Trust , a not for profit provider of loan finance, is organising the event.