Written Answers. - Commission on the Family.
Dermot Ahern
Question:
209
Mr. D. Ahern
asked the
Minister for Social Welfare
the estimated budget for 1996 of the Commission on the Family giving a breakdown of the way in which it is estimated it will be spent; the number of meetings to be held by the Commission during 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4140/96]
Following proposals I put forward to the Government, the Commission on the Family was established with the following terms of reference:
to raise public awareness and improve understanding of issues affecting families;
to examine the effects of legislation and policies on families and make recommendations to the Government on proposals which would strengthen the capacity of families to carry out their functions in a changing economic and social environment. The commission would be expected to make proposals to the proposed all-party committee on the Constitution on any changes which it believes might be necessary in the constitutional provisions in relation to the family. Proposals involving expenditure should be as far as practicable costed;
to analyse recent economic and social changes affecting the position of families, taking account of relevant research already carried out, including reports of commissions for example, Social Welfare, Taxation, Status of Women — and relevant working groups — for example, expert working group on integration of taxation and social welfare, current anti-poverty strategy policy committee — and carry out limited research as necessary.
The commission will also liaise with the Oireachtas Committee on the Family.
The commission has been asked to make its final report to Government by June 1997 and in that report to make recommendations on how families can best be facilitated in the support and development of individual members. The commission has been asked to provide an interim report by October 1996.
The provision made in the Social Welfare Vote for the Commission on the Family for 1996 is £130,000. Of this amount, £40,000 is related to pay, and the balance of £90,000 will cover accommodation, research, printing and advertising costs. It is too soon in the development of the commission's work to give a complete breakdown of the way in which this allocation will be spent in 1996. Costs arising this year mainly relate to the establishment of the commission, raising awareness about the commissions's task and inviting public participation in its work.
A major programme is under way to encourage submissions to the commission. The programme involves advertising in national and provincial press, widespread distribution of information leaflets and a freefone advice desk providing guidance for those who want to make a submission. The commission is also undertaking a special research project to assist with its work and has commissioned an expert report on the situation of families in Ireland today. The allocation is intended to cover these and other costs arising for the commission in 1996 in pursuing its terms of reference, as well as providing for travel, subsistence and other expenses.
The commission has held four meetings to date since it was appointed in October 1995. In addition, there have been four meetings of working groups of commission members. It is intended that much of the detailed work on different issues will initially be prepared for the commission by working groups comprising commission members with relevant expertise. I understand that the commission intends to continue to meet regularly, at least once a month for the present, with more frequent meetings of working groups.
