Vol. 520 No. 1
64 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if, in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, he will outline when it is pro posed to establish a social insurance fund board with representation from the social partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15026/00]
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness contains a commitment that the establishment of a social insurance fund board with representation from the social partners will be examined. This examination will begin in the near future.
The examination will need to take into account the possible roles of a social insurance fund board, the composition of such a board including the role of the social partners, the existing legal responsibilities of myself, as Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, the Minister for Finance and the Comptroller and Auditor General in relation to the fund, and the legal responsibility, if any, that a new board would have. In addition, the role of a new board vis-à-vis the Pensions Board, given the latter's existing role in providing advice regarding pensions, including those pensions paid from the fund, would also need to be given detailed consideration.
A further relevant issue is the announcement by the Minister for Finance last year that the Government had agreed to set up a fund to part pre-fund social welfare pensions. The role and supervisory structures of a social insurance board will, therefore, need to be considered in the context of the legislative arrangements, including supervisory structures, which will be put in place in respect of the new reserve fund. My colleague, the Minister for Finance, will be introducing legislative proposals for the setting up of the reserve fund in the coming months.
I intend to bring forward legislation to provide for the establishment of the board in the Social Welfare Bill, 2001, following appropriate consultation.
