Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2012
319 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will list all appointments to State boards and agencies made by her since she came to power; the persons appointed; the boards and agencies to which they were appointed; the remuneration details of each appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7828/12]
View answerThe three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) comes under the remit of the Department.
Social Welfare Tribunal
The Tribunal consists of a Chairman and four ordinary members, two on the nomination of Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and two nominated by Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC).
One of ICTU members of the Tribunal resigned in 2011 and on the nomination of ICTU, a replacement, Ms. Chris Rowland, was appointed by me commencing from 24 October 2011.
No remuneration is paid to the members of the Tribunal. Members can claim expenses for attending both hearings and meetings, as set out below. They are also entitled to the standard travel and subsistence allowances if hearings/meetings involve travel.
|
Chairman |
€ |
|
Hearing (per sitting day) |
488.11 |
|
Meetings |
73.44 |
|
Members |
€ |
|
Hearing (per sitting day) |
136.71 |
|
Meetings |
68.36 |
Citizens Information Board
I have made two appointments to the Citizens Information Board since coming into office. Mr. Eugene McErlean was appointed with effect from 7 September 2011 and is entitled to an annual fee of €5,985. On 1 November 2011, I appointed Ms. Fiona Ward but as she is the Department's representative on the board she is not entitled to any fees.
Pensions Board
I have made no appointments to the Pensions Board since coming into office. Further information in relation to the boards of the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board is available on the Department's website at www.welfare.ie/EN/AboutUs/Pages/stateagencies.aspx and is updated as required.
