Written Answers. - Appointments to State Boards. – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Written Answers. - Appointments to State Boards.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

321 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of appointments made to boards, semi-State and private, under the aegis of the Minister in each of the years 1997 to 2000; if he will give, in regard to each year and each board to which appointments are made, the number and percentage of males and females appointed to each board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17918/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency and Comhairle.

The Pensions Board was established in December 1990 under the Pensions Act, 1990, and comprises 15 members, including the chairperson. This is the maximum number of members allowed under current legislation. Eight members are male and seven members are female. This represents a 53:47 gender balance. Members can serve for a maximum period of five years from 21 December 1995.

The number of appointments made to the pensions board and the male-female ratio for the years 1997-2000 is as follows:

Pensions Board	1997	1998	1999	2000
Total Number of appointments:	0	3	1	0
Males appointed:	0	2	1	0
Percentage of males:	0	66.6	100	0
Females appointed:	0	1	0	0
Percentage of females:	0	33.3	0	0

Current Members		Appointed
Mr Eamonn Heffernan	Chairperson – nominee of Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs	21/12/95
Mr Kevin Brabazon*	Nominated by IBEC	12/09/98
Ms Kay Brophy	Nominee of Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs.	21/12/95
Mr Alan Broxson	Nominated by the Irish Association of Pension Funds	05/07/96
Ms Rosheen Callender	Nominee of Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs.	21/12/95
Ms Deirdre Carroll	Representative of the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs	21/12/95
Ms Marie Daly**	Nominated by IBEC	02/12/98
Mr James Kehoe	Nominated by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland	21/12/95
Ms Raymonde Kelly	Nominated by the Association of Pension Lawyers	21/12/95
Ms Maria Kinlan	Trustee representative, nominated by ICTU	05/07/96
Mr Ciaran Long	Nominated by the Irish Insurance Federation	21/12/95
Ms Veronica McDermott	Nominee of Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs.	21/12/95
Mr Joe Mooney	Representative of the Minister for Finance	21/12/95
Mr Fergus Whelan***	Nominated by ICTU	25/03/99
Mr Robert Woods	Nominated by the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies in Ireland	21/12/95

*Mr Kevin Brabazon replaced Ms Caroline Jenkinson as the IBEC nomination for an occupational pension scheme trustee.

**Ms Marie Daly, also nominated by IBEC, replaced Mr Pat Delaney. Mr Delaney was appointed by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs to the Board on 1 February 1998 following the then resignation of Mr Donal McAleese.

***Mr Fergus Whelan replaces Mr Stephen McCarthy, with effect, from 25 March 1999, as an ICTU nominee.

Combat Poverty Agency (CPA)

The Combat Poverty Agency (CPA) was established in September, 1986 under the Combat Poverty Agency Act, 1986. There are currently 13 board members. Seven members are male and six members are female. This represents a 54:46 gender balance.

The number of appointments made to the Combat Poverty Agency board and the male-female ratio for the years 1997 to 2000 is as follows:–

CPA Board	1997	1998	1999	2000
Total
Number of appointments:	7*	2	6	3
Males appointed:	5	0	4	1
Percentage of males:	71	nil	66.6	33.3
Females appointed:	2	2	2	2
Percentage of females:	29	100	33.3	66.6

*Four members appointed in 1997 were appointed by the previous Minister.

Appointments made to the Combat Poverty Agency from 1997 are as follows:

Name	Appointed
Ms. Anna Lee (Chairperson)	21/06/98
Ms. Bernadette Lacey	03/02/98
Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy	05/11/97
Mr. Pearse O'Hanrahan	05/11/97
Mr. Frank Mulcahy	05/11/97
Mr. Hugh Frazer (Director)	14/09/99
Mr. Fintan Farrell	14/09/99
Mr. Benny Devlin	14/09/99
Mr. Niall O'Keefe	14/09/99
Ms. Alice Robertson	14/09/99
Ms. Maria Corrigan	08/03/00
Mr. Michael Waugh	08/03/00
Ms. Clare Farrell(CPA staff representative)	06/03/9708/03/00
Mr. Brian Kenny (Vice-Chairperson)	05/6/97
Mr. Feargus Ó Raghallaigh	25/6/97
Mr. Liam Barrett	26/6/97
Ms. Rachel Farrell	14/9/99

Comhairle

Comhairle was established on 12 June, 2000 under the Comhairle Act, 2000. This new organisation has responsibility for the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services for all citizens throughout the country, including people with disabilities. It combined the National Social Service Board, NSSB, with relevant functions of the National Rehabilitation Board, NRB. Most, 18 of the 20 members, had been serving as members of the NSSB board which was expanded in anticipation of Comhairle to accommodate five additional members nominated by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to represent the interests of people with disabilities. It was necessary to finally reappoint them to the board of Comhairle on its establishment so they all fall into the category of members appointed in 2000. The Comhairle Act, 2000, provides that the membership of the board must comprise at least eight men and eight women. Twelve members are male and eight members are female. This represents a 60:40 gender balance.

The number of appointments made to the former National Social Services Board – and its successor the Comhairle Board – and the male-female ratio for the years 1997-2000 is as follows:–

	1997	1998	1999	2000
	NSSB	NSSB	NSSB	Comhairle
Total Number of Appointments:	None	20	None	20

Males Appointed:	–	11	–	12
Percentage of Males:	–	55%	–	60%
Females Appointed:	–	9	–	8
Percentage of Females:	–	45%	–	40%

Appointments to NSSB/Comhairle from 1997 to date are as follows:–

Name	Appointed toNSSB	Appointed toComhairle
Dr. Donal de Buitléir(Chairman)	8/9/98	12/06/2000
Mr. Peter Sands	8/5/98	12/06/2000
Mr. Tom Mulherin	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Mr. Michael McCloone	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Ms. Rosarii Moylan	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Ms. Mary Murphy	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Ms. Carol Brill	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Ms. Mary Fitzgerald	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Ms. Claire Young	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Ms. Mairin Byrne	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Mr. Martin Naughton	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Mr. John Hogan	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Mr. Terry O'Sullivan	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Mrs. Kitty King	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Mr. Tom Doherty	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Mr. Billy Mahoney	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Ms. Olive Howlett	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Mr. Alan O'Connor	20/11/98	12/06/2000
Mr. Peter McLachlan	20/11/98	– Deceased
Ms. Anne Marie White	20/11/98	– Resigned
Mr. Oliver Wilkinson	–	12/06/2000
Mr. John Gallahue	–	12/06/2000

Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000