Vol. 546 No. 3
61 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the progress to date regarding the establishment and operation of the social insurance fund board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31594/01]
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.
The examination will need to examine 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 role of the national pensions reserve fund. It will also need to examine whether the board should be on a statutory or non-statutory basis. The role of the 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, will also need to be given detailed consideration.
