Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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24. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress that has been made by the Interdepartmental Group on the Retail Sector since the second quarter of the year; the initiatives it has recommended based on the submissions received; the initiatives he is taking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42719/13]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The 2013 Action Plan for Jobs contains a number of measures aimed at supporting the retail sector. These include an initiative to increase the number of small businesses trading on-line and a project to streamline business licence application procedures for the retail sector. In addition, the Action Plan includes a commitment to establish an Interdepartmental Group to consider further possible measures which can be taken in 2013 or 2014 to support job creation/retention in the sector.

The Interdepartmental Group held its first meeting on 21 May and subsequently held a number of meetings with the main bodies representing the retail sector and other stakeholders, including practitioners, business representative bodies, workers representatives and the INOU. Suggestions received from this consultation process cover the following broad areas:

- Business Costs/Administration

- Planning Issues

- Skills/Training for the sector

- Social Welfare System

- Access to Finance

- Government Administration

- Hidden Economy

- Taxation

The Interdepartmental Group is currently finalising its assessment of the various proposals received and will submit a report to me shortly, outlining its conclusions. Specific actions arising from this process will be included in the 2014 Action Plan for Jobs, which I am currently preparing on behalf of the Government.