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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 1

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

198 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals for legislation being prepared under the auspices of his Department where heads have not yet been approved by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13278/99]

My Department is developing proposals for legislation in two areas: (1) Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths Bill. My Department has taken over responsibility for updating the legislation governing the system of registration of births, deaths and marriages. The existing legislation governing this system dates back to the 1850's and needs to be thoroughly examined and overhauled so that a more modern civil registration system can be put in place to meet current and future needs.

Proposals to underpin the modernisation of the service are currently being formulated and progressed in co-operation with the Department of Health and Children, the General Register Office and other interested parties. Legislative developments will flow directly from this process. It is my intention to bring forward legislation in the form of a new Bill as soon as practicable to provide for the modernisation of the service.

(2) Pensions Bill – Following the publication of the Pensions Board report on the national pen sions policy initiative Securing Retirement Income, in July 1998, I outlined the Government's response to the main recommendations. My Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the pensions board are currently examining the main recommendations in the report with a view to introducing appropriate legislation later this year. Among the issues to be addressed in the Bill will be the Pensions Board proposals in relation to access, preservation, revaluation and integration issues; the framework to enable the introduction of personal retirement savings accounts; Pensions Board proposals in existing or forthcoming reports to the Minister on a number of issues such as surpluses, compensation fund, minimum funding standards, additional voluntary contributions and the establishment of a Pensions Ombudsman; necessary amendments on foot of the operation/monitoring of the existing Pensions Act currently being considered by the pensions board; changes in relation to occupational pensions which are needed to implement E.U. Directive 98/49/EC on the safeguarding of the supplementary pension rights of employed and self-employed persons moving within the European Union; and necessary amendments in the pensions area on foot of the Employment Equality Act, also being considered by the pensions board at present.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

199 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals for legislation being prepared under the auspices of his Department where heads have been approved by Government; the expected date of publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13296/99]

The Government has approved the drafting of legislation to establish a new agency, to be known as Comhairle, which will be responsible for the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services throughout the country. This new agency, which will operate under the aegis of my Department, will combine the current functions of the National Social Service Board (NSSB) with relevant functions of the National Rehabilitation Board (NRB). The necessary legislation is currently being prepared and I hope to publish it later this year.

This move towards a new integrated agency follows a Government decision to replace the NRB with a new National Disability Authority and to transfer certain functions of the NRB to a number of existing agencies or Government Departments.

The improvement of information and support services for people with disabilities was among the key recommendations contained in the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. The establishment of the new agency, Comhairle, will ensure that services for people with disabilities will become an integral part of an enhanced mainstream information, advice and advocacy service for all citizens, by utilising and building on the resources and expertise of both existing organisations.
The board of Comhairle was appointed in November of last year. In the meantime, pending the enactment of the necessary legislation, the board will act as the board for the National Social Service Board.
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