The statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Combat Poverty Agency, the Pensions Board and the National Social Service Board.
The main functions of the Combat Poverty Agency are to advise the Minister on all aspects of economic and social planning in relation to poverty; to initiate and evaluate measures aimed at overcoming poverty and to promote greater public understanding of the nature, causes and extent of poverty and the measures necessary to overcome poverty. The current membership of the board of the agency is 16 of which seven are women.
The Pensions Board is responsible for the regulation of occupational pensions schemes and for advising the Minister on pensions matters generally. The current membership of the board is 15 of which seven are women.
The National Social Service Board is responsible for promoting greater accessibility, co-ordination and public awareness of social services. The current membership of the board is 15 of which eight are women.