State Bodies

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023

Tuesday, 20 June 2023

Questions (386)

Denis Naughten

Question:

386. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will outline the implementation of circular 25/2016 by each State body under the aegis of his Department; and if he will provide, in tabular form, by State agency, the compliance with each of the standards and timelines set out in responding to Oireachtas Members’ queries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29478/23]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage

My Department has robust processes and procedures in place to support State bodies under the aegis of the Department in respect of compliance with corporate governance requirements.

Written Performance Delivery Agreements are in place with all the State bodies for which the Department has oversight, and these agreements clearly define the terms of the Department's relationship with that body, including outputs for delivery, corporate governance compliance requirements and arrangements for oversight. Formal meetings between senior Department officials and representatives of the Board and senior management of each of the State bodies are also held, at least annually, to review Performance Delivery Agreements and address any issues arising.

A dedicated unit, the State Body Oversight and Governance Unit, has responsibility for overseeing my Department’s governance of State Bodies and, in particular, for monitoring compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and with associated Circulars. The Head of Business Unit reports directly to a member of the Department’s Management Board on all matters relating to corporate governance compliance.

My Department is also currently preparing to undertake a comprehensive ‘compliance review’ of each of the State bodies to verify adherence to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and to other corporate governance requirements, including those referenced in Circular 25/2016. It is intended that a survey addressing these matters will issue to all the State bodies under the aegis of my Department in the coming weeks.

In relation to the ‘Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments/Offices’, my Department ensures that all State bodies are made aware of the requirement to put arrangements in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Adherence to the requirements, as set out in the circular, is a matter for the Head of each individual entity.

A full list of the State bodies under the aegis of my Department, including the required dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, is set out in the table below.

An Bord Pleanála	[e-mail]
An Fóram Uisce	[e-mail]
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority	[e-mail]
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum	[e-mail]
Electoral Commission	[e-mail]
Ervia	[e-mail]
Gas Networks Ireland	[e-mail]
Heritage Council	[e-mail]
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency	[e-mail]
Housing Finance Agency	[e-mail]
Land Development Agency	[e-mail]
Local Government Management Agency	[e-mail]
National Oversight and Audit Commission	[e-mail]
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee	[e-mail]
Office of the Planning Regulator	[e-mail]
Pyrite Resolution Board	[e-mail]
Residential Tenancies Board	[e-mail]
Tailte Éireann	[e-mail]
Uisce Éireann	[e-mail]
Valuation Tribunal	[e-mail]
Waterways Ireland	[e-mail]