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Departmental Agencies Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (66, 83)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

66. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the bodies, other than statutory bodies, that were fully funded by his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1906/13]

View answer

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

83. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the bodies, other than statutory bodies, that were partially funded by his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2037/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 83 together.

The Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group was established in 2010. Its role is to offer independent expert advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister of State for Trade and Development on the strategic direction of the aid programme. The administration of the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group is serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Department’s overall budget. The Group does not have any whole time equivalent staff. There are seven group members, including one Chairperson and one ex-officio member.

The Development Education Advisory Committee has been in place since 2003. Its role is to offer policy advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister of State for Trade and Development on development education and on ways of increasing knowledge and understanding of development issues in Ireland. The administration of the Development Education Advisory Committee is serviced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade from the Department’s overall budget. The Group does not have any whole time equivalent staff. The committee is made up of nine members and a Chairperson.

The Development Education Advisory Committee was identified as a candidate body for critical review as part of the Government’s Agency Rationalisation Programme under the Public Sector Reform Plan. The role of DEAC was reviewed in the context of the recent Review of the White Paper on Irish Aid. A decision on the Development Education Advisory Committee will be made when the outcome of the Review, a new policy on global development, is submitted for Government approval in the near future.

The Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) advises the Tánaiste on the allocation of grants to Irish community organisations in Britain under the Emigrant Support Programme. The Committee consists of thirteen members, including two officers from our Embassy in London who act as Chair and Secretary to the Committee. Appointed Committee members serve in a voluntary capacity. Travel expenses associated with the Committee members amounted to €585.16 in 2011 and €635.47 in 2012.

A key message taken from participants at the 2011 Global Irish Economic Forum was the desire for members to be involved in coordinating the work and future direction of the Network. In response to this, the Advisory Group for the Global Irish Network was established. The Group is charged with overseeing the implementation, where appropriate, of the initiatives which emerged from the Forum and coordinating the overall work programme for the Global Irish Network The 19 members appointed to the Group represent the main geographic areas represented at 2011 Forum in Dublin Castle. It is serviced by the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in close cooperation with other Departments and State Agencies who also attend the meetings. The external members act in a voluntary capacity but travel expenses are refundable. The inaugural meeting of the Group took place in July 2012 and the second meeting will take place on 11 February. Travel and accommodation costs paid to date amounted to €8,610.

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