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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 1

Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointments.

Dan Boyle

Question:

769 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of nominations and appointments made by her since 6 June 2002; and the number of and areas where vacancies for such appointments will arise and when. [11874/03]

The five statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, Comhairle, the Social Welfare Tribunal and the Family Support Agency.

The Pensions Board was established under the Pensions Act 1990 and has the general function of monitoring and supervising the operation of the Pensions Act and pensions developments generally. I have made no appointments to the 17 member Pensions Board since 6 June 2002. Vacancies on the board are not due to occur until 2005. At that time, I will, with the consent of my colleague, the Minister for Finance, appoint a new board.

I appointed the Pensions Ombudsman from 28 April 2003. This appointment was made on foot of an open competition undertaken by the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission.

The Combat Poverty Agency was established in September 1986 under the Combat Poverty Agency Act 1986. The main functions of the agency are: to advise the Minister for Social and Family Affairs on all aspects of economic and social planning in relation to poverty; to initiate and evaluate measures aimed at overcoming poverty; and to promote greater public understanding of the nature, causes and extent of poverty and the measures necessary to overcome poverty. Since 6 June 2002 I have appointed seven people to the board of the Combat Poverty Agency. Three further vacancies are expected to arise in 2003, four in 2004, one in 2005 and six in 2006.
Comhairle has responsibility for promoting the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services to all citizens. It was established in June 2000 and replaced the National Social Services Board and certain functions of the National Rehabilitation Board. Since 6 June 2002, I have made eight appointments to the board of Comhairle, five of which were nominated by my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. There is one vacancy at the present time, and a further six will arise in 2003. Six further vacancies are expected to arise in 2004, and another seven in 2005.
The Social Welfare Tribunal is a statutory body set up in 1982 to deal with cases where entitlement to unemployment benefit or assistance is refused due to an involvement in a trade dispute. It comprises a chairperson and four ordinary members, two of whom are representative of workers and two representative of employers. Since 6 June 2002, I have appointed a chairperson to the tribunal. There are no other vacancies at present on the Social Welfare Tribunal and none are anticipated.
The Family Support Agency, which is provided for in the Family Support Agency Act 2001, will be responsible for: providing a family mediation service; supporting, promoting and developing the provision of marriage and relationship counselling and other family supports; and supporting, promoting and developing the family and community services resource centre programme. It will also undertake research, provide and disseminate information about parenting and family issues and provide advice to me on relevant issues. I appointed nine persons as members of the designate board of the Family Support Agency in June 2002. Two further members were appointed subsequently in 2002. There are currently two vacancies on the designate board. The Act provides that the term of each board member shall not exceed three years.
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