Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Again, Mr. Coughlan has given us several issues to consider. Indeed, today's engagement has been useful in terms of highlighting the types of activities and initiatives on which we should focus. I am struck by what Mr. Coughlan said in reference to job creation structures in this country. Those structures are set up to create jobs, not to achieve profits. As such, there is no reason that social enterprises cannot tap into the infrastructure. We certainly can work to achieve progress in this area. Would it be useful to classify enterprise centres with incubator units as social enterprises? Should start-up courses for businesses include a specific aspect on social enterprises? These are issues we will consider in the context of getting the message out about social enterprise.

I understand there are some 7,000 or 8,000 registered charities. Why do we have so many and should we be looking at ways of reducing duplication? Mr. Ó Corrbuí is right about the carrot and stick approach. Government funding has been cut in many areas, but we continue to grant aid many of the organisations we are discussing here without, unfortunately, effectively encouraging and rewarding those which work the hardest, engage with shared services and so on. There is a role for us in trying to make this happen, part of which is to look at the number of charities. Does Mr. Ó Corrbuí see an issue there?