Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Nov 1996

Vol. 472 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Chris Flood

Ceist:

85 Mr. Flood asked the Minister for Social Welfare the role played by both permanent and political staff within his Department in preparing speeches and documents for him which deal with areas other than social welfare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22269/96]

Minister for Social Welfare (Proinsias De Rossa)

Both the established and non-established civil servants in my Department prepare documents and draft speech material, as requested.

The permanent staff of the Department of Social Welfare provides such material on social welfare matters. I am also fortunate to have the expertise of the Department manifested in major social policy documents and initiatives such as the report of the Expert Working Group on the intergration of the Tax and Social Welfare Systems, the discussion document on social insurance, the national anti-poverty strategy, the Commission on the Family and other social policy documents.

The non-permanent members of staff, whose appointments are strictly temporary and are linked to my current term of office as Minister for Social Welfare, may provide documents and draft speech material on matters I consider appropriate to facilitate me in carrying out the role of a Minister in Government.