Michael Ferris
Ceist:5 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to privatise any of the agencies under his control in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Privatising State Agencies.
Mervyn Taylor
Ceist:35 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has any plans to commercialise any of the services provided by agencies under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 35 together.
There are two agencies under the aegis of my Department: the Combat Poverty Agency and the National Pensions Board.
The role of the Combat Poverty Agency is to advise me on all aspects of economic and social planning in relation to poverty in the State, to examine the nature, causes and extent of such poverty, to initiate measures aimed at overcoming poverty and to promote greater public understanding of poverty and the measures required to overcome it.
The task of the National Pensions Board is to advise me on all aspects of occupational pension schemes and on the most suitable approach to a national pensions policy.
I have no plans to privatise or commercialise either of these agencies or any of their activities. I am sure the Labour Party would not want me to privatise the Combat Poverty Agency.
I should like to thank the Minister for his reassurance that it is not his intention to privatise the Combat Poverty Agency. Is the Minister aware of the statement by the ICTU on this topic? It appears that that statement was misquoted. Some people believe that there is a softening of views in regard to privatisation. Is the Minister aware that some of his colleagues, particularly the Minister for Labour, are using private agencies——
I cannot permit an extension of the question and the Deputy should appreciate that.
I accept the Minister's assurance in regard to his Department but it is important that I should question him about it so as to ensure that we do not have privatisation by the back door, as happened in other Departments.
I have replied to that question.