SDLP Foyle MLA and Economy spokesperson Sinead McLaughlin
The sector is facing serious challenges, with many of these essential businesses not eligible for support from existing emergency funding schemes.
Said the Foyle MLA: “Social enterprises provide some of our most important services, ranging from childcare, to community transport, to shopping centres, to business parks.
“Some are the trading arms of our charities, which are providing essential services to vulnerable people during a time of crisis.
“But the varied nature of the work of this sector presents a problem for government in Northern Ireland.
“These are cross-cutting needs, which require the support of the communities, finance and economy ministers and their departments to work together to deliver a funding package that saves and protects a sector that provides such important services.
“This has to be a priority.
“I am urging Ministers to demonstrate that they can work across departments to deliver support that benefits the whole of our society.”
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