I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO). With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.
Apart from the Ombudsman for Children's Office which does not have a board, I am responsible for all board of management appointments. I can confirm that the statutory provisions enabling me to make appointments to the boards of management are as follows:
Family Support Agency - Section 10 of the Family Support Agency Act, 2001
National Educational Welfare Board - Section 9 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000
Children Detention Schools - Section 167 of the Children Act, 2001
Adoption Authority of Ireland - Section 98 of the Adoption Act, 2010
I can confirm that in relation to the board for the National Educational Welfare Board, neither the chairperson or the ordinary members are in receipt of any remuneration. The chairperson and the ordinary members of the board for the Children Detention Schools are also not in receipt of any remuneration.
The chairperson for the Adoption Authority of Ireland is currently in receipt of €63,120 per annum and five of its ordinary members are in receipt of €7,965 per annum. One of the ordinary board members positions is currently vacant. The remuneration for this post is also €7,965 per annum.
The chairperson of the Family Support Agency is entitled to remuneration of €8,978 per annum and seven of the eleven ordinary members are entitled to €5,985 per annum. The other five ordinary members do not receive remuneration. The Deputy should note that the term for this board has expired and I am currently in the process of making new appointments to fill the existing vacancies. Pending the legal establishment of the Child and Family Agency (CFA), the newly appointed board of the FSA will, in addition to its existing functions, provide oversight and direction to the organisational preparations which are underway for the CFA.
Each agency/body maintains records of expenses paid to board members. For example, all board members are paid travel and subsistence as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the governing legislation, for attendance at board meetings.
