I propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.
There are three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. These are the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board, and the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman.
Social Welfare Tribunal
The Social Welfare Tribunal consists of a Chairperson and four ordinary members, two of whom are appointed on the nomination of Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and two on the nomination of Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation (IBEC). These appointments are for an initial period of a year with provision for renewal. One vacancy arose and was filled in the period in question and is now subject to renewal. That vacant position was not subject to new procedures as the positions of the four ordinary members are subject to nomination by ICTU and IBEC. Members do not receive an annual salary, instead they are paid fees for attending hearings or meetings and they may also qualify for Travel & Substance expenses if required. The details sought by the Deputy are as follows:
Member
|
Date of Appointment
|
Date of Expiry
|
Associated Fees
|
Appointments made in accordance with new procedures
|
Ms. Chris Rowland
|
24/10/2011
|
04/10/2012, subject to renewal
|
€136.71 per sitting day
€68.36 per meeting
|
Not publically advertised
|
The Citizens Information Board
I have made two appointments to the Citizens Information Board since coming into office. Mr. Eugene McErlean was appointed following a public request for expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced individuals which were advertised on the Department of Social Protection website in July 2011. The details sought by the Deputy are as follows:
Member
|
Date of Appointment
|
Date of Expiry
|
Associated Fees
|
Appointments made in accordance with new procedures
|
Mr. Eugene McErlean
|
07/09/2011
|
26/04/2014
|
€5,985 per annum
|
Yes
|
Ms. Fiona Ward
|
01/11/2011
|
31/08/2017
|
Nil – Ms. Ward is the Department of Social Protection representative on the Board
|
Not publically advertised
|
Pensions Board
I have made no appointments to the Pensions Board since coming into office. There are currently two vacancies on the Pensions Board. No decision has been made on advertising these vacancies, pending the completion of the Critical Review of the amalgamation of the regulatory function of the Pensions Board with the Financial Regulator, under the Public Service Reform programme.
The Chairpersons of these Boards were all in place before I came into office in March 2011 and therefore, the matter of newly appointed chairpersons appearing before the relevant Oireachtas Committee has not arisen in the case of bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection.