Michael P. Kitt
Question:50 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Social Welfare the liaison, if any, proposed between the Commission on the Family and the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Family. [5211/96]
Written Answers. - Family Policy.
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 also 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 (e.g. social welfare, taxation, status of women) and relevant working groups (e.g. expert working group on integration of taxation and social welfare, current anti-poverty strategy policy committee); and carry out limited research as necessary.
The terms of reference also provide that the commission will liaise with the Joint Committee on the Family.
I understand that the matter of liaison arrangements between the commission and the joint committee is high on the agendas of both groups at their regular meetings.
The commission has held five meetings to date since it was appointed in October 1995 with more frequent meetings of working groups. The joint committee is well advanced in its work having been established in March 1995. The committee's recent report, on the "Impact of State Tax and Social Welfare schemes on the Family" will make an important contribution to raising awareness about the issues which need to be addressed to improve the responsiveness of the State services for families in different circumstances.
I understand that the chairman of the Commission on the Family and the chairman of the joint committee have met and have had discussions regularly over the past few months about progress with the work of their respective groups.
At secretariat level, the chairmen have established practical working arrangements to ensure that the commission members and the joint committee members are kept informed about the issues being considered and progress made in each others work programme, and any proposals in relation to undertaking research projects.
Commission members and the secretary have been welcomed to open sessions of meetings of the joint committee. Members of the joint committee were invited to attend the official launch of the commission's programme to encourage submissions from the public.
I understand that close liaison arrangements between the commission and the joint committee will continue to be an important priority for both groups in pursuing their tasks in the interests of strengthening and supporting families.
The Commission on the Family 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.