It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 236 and 237 together.
There are two statutory agencies under the control of my Department, namely the Combat Poverty Agency and the Pensions Board.
The Combat Poverty Agency was set up under the Combat Agency Act, 1986 and the Pensions Board was set up under the Pensions Act, 1990.
The Board of the Combat Poverty Agency consists of 16 members, eight of whom are female, including the Vice-Chairman. Both the Chairman of the Board and the Director of the Agency are male. The Pensions Board consists of 13 members, five of whom are female, including the Chairperson. The Chief Executive of the Pensions Board is male. The majority of the members of the board come from groups or organisations who, under the Act, nominate their own representatives to the board. Four of the Minister's five appointees are women.