asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give details of the advisory bodies currently under the aegis of her Department; the total number of persons other than civil servants appointed by her to these bodies; the number of such persons whose current address is outside the State; and the total number of such persons with current addresses within each separate county of the State.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Department Bodies.
5.
The National Pensions Board were set up in early 1986 to advise me on all aspects of occupational pension schemes. The board will also be advising me on the most suitable approach to a national pension policy.
The board is comprised of representatives of the various interest groups involved, workers, employers, selfemployed and the pensions industry, together with representatives of four Government Departments. The total number of members — excluding civil servants — is 16, none of whom has a current address outside the State. Of the 16, there are 14 who reside in Dublin, one who resides in Meath and one in Tipperary.
6.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will give details of the statutory bodies currently under the aegis of her Department; the total number of persons other than civil servants appointed by her to these bodies; the number of such persons whose current address is outside the State; and the total number of such persons with current addresses within each separate county in the State.
There are two statutory bodies currently under the aegis of my Department — the Combat Poverty Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. The number of persons, other than civil servants, appointed to these bodies is as follows: Combat Poverty Agency, nine, and Social Welfare Tribunal, five. None of the persons appointed has an address outside the State. The following are the counties within which they have their addresses:
|
Combat Poverty Agency |
Social Welfare Tribunal |
|
|
Dublin |
5 |
5 |
|
Cork |
1 |
|
|
Limerick |
1 |
|
|
Louth |
1 |
|
|
Mayo |
1 |
Is the Minister aware that among the personnel in the Combat Poverty Agency there are no representatives of those who actually deal with poor people, and that those who are closest to the problems of poverty seem to be specifically excluded from membership of that agency?
I do not agree with the Deputy's criticism of the personnel of the Combat Poverty Agency on any ground. I do not believe that people like Sister Stanislaus Kennedy could be considered to be out of touch with the poverty problems facing people.