Vol. 501 No. 6
2 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the bodies and organisations that report to his Department; the work currently under way in each of those bodies; the specific deadlines, if any, for the reports of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4436/99]
There are six bodies reporting to my Department. They are: the National Economic and Social Council; the National Economic and Social Forum; the National Centre for Partnership; the Information Society Commission; the National Statistics Board and the National Millennium Committee. Details of the work of these bodies and where relevant, their reports are laid out in the schedule which I propose to circulate with the Official Report.
I would also refer the Deputy to my recent answers to previous parliamentary questions in these matters, particularly Questions Nos. 1 and 2 of 10 February 1999 and Question No. 64 of 24 November 1998.
SCHEDULE.
NESC – National Economic and Social Council – appointed in November 1998, has been meeting on a monthly basis since then. At the request of the Government, the main work of the council during 1999 will relate to the preparation of a new strategy report to provide a basis for a national agreement in succession to Partnership 2000. Also, the NESC secretariat is working on a study benchmarking Irish progress in the areas covered by the Partnership 2000 agreement both over time and by comparison with other countries. The subject matter includes work on education, taxation and child care. Some of the material in the benchmarking exercise will be drawn upon for the strategic review. It is intended that the results of the research will be published later in 1999.
NESF – National Economic and Social Forum – was established by the Government in 1993 as an advisory body to contribute to the formation of a wider national consensus on economic and social policy, particularly to combat social exclusion. Its mandate was renewed in 1995 and in 1997. The newly constituted NESF will focus on the detailed monitoring of initiatives taken in the context of social partnership, especially with regard to social exclusion and long-term unemployment. The newly constituted forum held its inaugural meeting on 12 November 1998.
Regarding reports published in the past 12 months; in November and December 1997, prior to its mandate being renewed, the forum produced two reports and two opinions.
The reports were: Second Periodic Report on the Work of the Forum – November 1997 and A Framework for Partnership – Enriching Strategic Consensus Through Participation – November 1997.
The Opinions were: Development of the Equality Provisions – November 1997; Targeted Employment and Training Measures – November 1997.
The Information Society Commission reports to the Taoiseach. The commission is an advisory body whose main function is to monitor and advise Government on the development of an information society in Ireland. One of the most important of the commission's tasks is to raise awareness amongst the general public and industry of the opportunities and benefits offered by the information society. The commission has established six advisory groups to assist it in its work. These groups cover awareness, infrastructure, learning, enterprise, legal issues and Government services and social inclusion.
The National Centre for Partnership is actively pursuing a work programme to achieve its role, as described in Partnership 2000, of promoting the partnership approach in both the public and private sectors. This involves the organisation and facilitation of seminars, workshops and training programmes. The recently published magazine of the centre, Partnership at Work, sets out the specific initiatives under way. The centre is not required to produce regular reports.
The National Millennium Committee reports to the Government. It was established to advise on proposed projects of national significance for inclusion in the Government's millennium programme and also on a scheme for supporting projects at a local level, including in areas of social disadvantage. The committee meets on a monthly basis. The chairman of the committee, Deputy Séamus Brennan, Chief Whip, recently made a progress report on the work of the committee to the Government and intends submitting further reports on a regular basis.
The National Statistics Board operates on the basis of five-year strategic plans. The most recent plan, Strategy for Statistics, 1998-2002, was published in September 1998. The board meets regularly to assess progress. Each year, the board reports on the progress made by the CSO in implementing the board's strategic plan. Currently, the board is drafting its 1998 annual report. While a specific deadline has not been set for its finalisation it is expected to be presented to Government and published by July 1999.
I wish to ensure there is a work programme in place. Given the importance of its work in terms of the Partnership 2000 report, chapter 11 of which calls on it to monitor social exclusion, does the Taoiseach consider it satisfactory that there has been only one meeting of the NESF in the last 12 months? Will he ensure the bodies working under the aegis of his Department meet regularly and are held to account in discharging their functions?
The NESC and NESF were reconstituted in November having completed their terms. It is the intention of the NESF to meet monthly. I attended its November meeting and it has met monthly since.
