Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2001

Vol. 533 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Agencies.

Gay Mitchell

Question:

135 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will list every State agency, company, board, group, committee, commission, inquiry or authority which was set up under the aegis of his Department; and if he will give a brief outline of the aims of each such body. [9919/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen):

The Cultural Relations Committee is appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. It advises the Minister on support for cultural projects, with a view to the enhancement of Ireland's image and reputation abroad and the promotion of friendly relations and of mutual knowledge and understanding with other countries.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs appoints four of the eight members of the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange, better known as the Fulbright Commission. The remaining four members are appointed by the US ambassador. The commission administers the Fulbright scholarship and fellowship programme between Ireland and the United States of America. It finances studies, research and other educational and cultural activities between Ireland and the United States. It offers grants to Irish postgraduate students and to postdoctoral academic staff to undertake research and-or lecture in the United States, and invites their US equivalents to lecture and to carry out research in Ireland. Support is also given to conferences and other meetings to promote mutual understanding between Ireland and the United States. In addition, there are four agencies-committees under the aegis of the development co-operation division of my Department – Agency for Personal Service Overseas, APSO, National Committee for Development Education, NCDE, Irish Aid Advisory Committee, IAAC, and the Refugee Agency.

The Agency for Personal Service Overseas, APSO, is a State-sponsored body established in 1973, and incorporated in 1974, to promote and sponsor temporary personal service in developing countries for their economic and social development. Funding for the agency is provided through an annual grant-in-aid from the Department. The Minister appoints the 11 members of APSO's board for periods of three, four and five years.

The National Committee for Development Education, NCDE, was established in 1994 as a non-statutory committee to promote and support development education in all sectors of society through co-operation with groups, schools and other institutions involved in development education. Funding for the committee is provided through a grant-in-aid from the Department. The Minister appoints the 17 members of the committee for a three year term of office.

The Irish Aid Advisory Committee, IAAC, was established in 1993. It is a independent committee consisting of voluntary members with a proven expertise or interest in development assistance. The main functions of the committee are to provide the Minister and the Minister of State with policy advice on the effective delivery and future strategies of the Ireland Aid programme. Research projects are carried out on issues of relevance to Ireland's aid programme, and, where appropriate, research findings are published. Funding for the committee is provided through an annual grant-in-aid from the Department. The Minister appoints the 14 members of the committee for an initial two year period.

The Refugee Agency was established by the Government in 1991 as a non-statutory body under the aegis of the Department. Its role is to co-ordinate the admission, reception and resettlement of programme refugees – refugees admitted to Ireland under Government decision in response to a request from the UNHCR. The board of the agency is appointed by the Minister for a two year period. Funding for the agency is provided through an annual grant-in-aid from the Department. On 2 April 2001 the agency was incorporated into the Reception and Integration Agency under the aegis of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The Ireland Aid review committee was established by the Government in February 2001 to examine all aspects of its programme of development co-operation, including its philosophy, policies, management structures and delivering modalities. The review, chaired by the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy O'Donnell, is under way and the committee has advertised in the national press requesting submissions to its deliberations from interested parties and stakeholders. The review committee will also consult with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.