Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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122. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to implement the Employment and Social Innovation Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12548/15]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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The Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) is an EU funding instrument, managed by the European Commission, which supports the development of innovative social policies and promotes labour mobility, as well as facilitating access to microcredits and encouraging social entrepreneurship.

EaSI brings three EU programmes, which were previously managed separately, together under one umbrella. They are:

-PROGRESS – which supports the modernisation of employment and social policies

-EURES – which supports job mobility (the Department of Social Protection has responsibility with regard to EURES programme)

-Progress Microfinance – which aims to increase the availability of microcredit – loans below €25,000 – for setting up or developing a small business.

The role of my Department in relation to the EaSI programme is to monitor its operation to bring funding opportunities to the attention of appropriate Irish bodies through information dissemination of the EaSI work programmes and on calls for proposals/tenders.

Ireland is represented on the EaSI Committee by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Member) and the Department of Social Protection (Alternate).

As part of its role in the management of this funding instrument, the European Commission disperses funds directly to successful applicants.