Vol. 549 No. 4
171 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of his Department which it is proposed to establish; if it is intended that each such body will have a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7111/02]
The details required by the Deputy are as follows. Structural Funds-monitoring committees: Under European Council Regulation 1260-1999 laying down the general provision and arrangements for the Structural Funds, monitoring committees must be established for each operational programme. Under the European Commission's INTERREG III community initiatives programmes, monitoring committees are due to be established for the Ireland-Wales and Ireland-Northern Ireland INTERREG IIIA programmes; North West Europe and Atlantic Area INTERREG IIIB programmes; and the INTERREG IIIC programme. It is not proposed to give these committees a statutory basis.
Management agency for Civil Service crèches: Under the Civil Service child care initiative I announced in budget 2001, funding of €12.5 million was provided over two years to establish up to 15 crèches for the children of civil servants. I have approved the establishment of a management agency for Civil Service crèches. The agency will have the following functions: to promote the provision of crèches under the Civil Service child care initiative, in accordance with Government policy; to advise generally on that provision; to contract with suitable individuals or companies to run Civil Service crèches on foot of tenders considered and decided by the board of the agency in line with normal public procurement procedures. It is proposed to establish the agency on a statutory basis and I have agreed to the preparation of a draft memorandum for the Government. In the meantime, on legal advice, the agency has been established on an ad hoc basis and I have appointed an interim board.
Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority: the Government decision of 20 February 2001 to establish the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, within the new structure of the Central Bank of Ireland and Financial Services Authority, includes the establishment of a board of ten members to be the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority.
172 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of his Department which were established otherwise than pursuant to statute or statutory instruments; if there are proposals to have the body in question given a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7126/02]
In order to prepare a reply to the Deputy's question, it has been necessary to gather material from sections throughout my Department. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to assemble and check the material adequately in the time available. I will write to the Deputy with the information sought at the earliest opportunity.
173 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance the committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of his Department which were established pursuant to statutory instrument; the particulars of the statutory instrument in each case; if there are proposals to have the body in question given a basis in statute as opposed to statutory instrument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7141/02]
In order to prepare a reply to the Deputy's question, it has been necessary to gather material from sections throughout my Department. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to assemble and check the material adequately in the time available. I will write to the Deputy with the information sought at the earliest opportunity.
