Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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281. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation his plans to create a one-stop-shop to act as a focal point of contact for support for prospective social enterprises; the approximate cost of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29838/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a vibrant and effective social enterprise sector. A report on the potential of social enterprises to create jobs and to identify the actions required by Government and other relevant bodies and agencies, was commissioned and produced by Forfás in July 2013. The Forfás report recommended the establishment of an Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) to develop and champion the sector. The group was established in October 2013 and at that time Minister of State Sean Sherlock, who had a personal interest in driving this agenda, was appointed as Chair of the IDG, with administrative support to be provided by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Minister Sherlock has since been appointed as Minister of State to the Department of Foreign Affairs. While the work in this area continues political responsibility has not yet been reassigned, however, I understand that this process is in train and will be resolved shortly.

The Social Enterprise spectrum ranges from enterprises that are fully supported by the State through to a small number of commercially trading companies. Where Social Enterprises are trading commercially, they are fully entitled to engage with the range of enterprise supports provided by my Department and its agencies – particularly the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).

Where social enterprises are already supported by the State to provide certain services, they are not trading commercially and therefore not eligible for the finite supports the State has to offer to companies in the commercial sphere.

My Department has no policy responsibility for the broader social enterprise sector and to this end I have no plans in this area. However, there are many supports available to all entrepreneurs wishing to start up a business, and those that wish to expand businesses, with a viable commercial element.