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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Appointments.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

275 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of committees, expert groups, outside agencies and study groups he has set up since July 1997; the topic each group is examining; the number of members in each group; when each group is due to report; and the costs, if any, associated with each group. [10696/98]

The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement:

Group

Subject

Number of Members

Date Report Due

Cost

Expert Working Group on Childcare established on 18 July, 1997 under Partnership 2000.

To devise a national framework for the development of childcare facilities in Ireland per paragraph 5.7 of Partnership 2000.

75

December 1998

£22,339 to 31/12/97.

Establishment Group in relation to the National Disability Authority.

Preparing a set of proposals for the establishment of the National Disability Authority and related issues.

9

May 1998.

Nil

Interdepartmental Committee on Immigration, Asylum and related issues.

To examine issues relating to Immigration and Asylum.

5

February 1998.

Nil

Expert Group to consider changes in the criminal law arising out of the Report of the Steering Group on the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Garda Síochána.

To consider changes in the Criminal Law recommended in the Report of the Steering Group on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Garda Síochána with particular reference to Constitutional and European Convention on Human Rights implications and having regard to the critical balance referred to in the Report between the rights of the individual and that of the common good.

6

June 1998

Nil.

National Crime Forum

To give the public an opportunity to contribute to the development of crime policy.

32

June, 1998.

£150,000 (This is an estimated figure as the work of the forum is not yet complete)

Expert Independent review Group on the Probation and Welfare Service.

To review the Probation and Welfare Service.

11

Shortly

£6,800

Steering Group Committee to oversee the expenditure and the research by Women's Aid into the effectiveness and usage of the Domestic Violence Act, 1996 and subsequent criminal cases.

To oversee the expenditure and the research by Women's Aid into the effectiveness and usage of the Domestic Violence Act, 1996 and subsequent criminal cases.

6

February 1999.

The Minister has made available £10,000 to part fund this research.

Working group to examine the operation of the Scheme of Reliefs (Tax and Excise Duty) provided for under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994.

To examine the operation of the Scheme of Reliefs (Tax and Excise Duty) provided for under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations, 1994.

4

June 1998.

Nil.

In addition to the above there is a National Steering Committee on Violence against Women that was established in July 1997, which while not appointed by me personally comes under the aegis of my Department. This committee is chaired by the Minister of State at this Department, Deputy Mary Wallace. The remit of the committee, as recommended by the report of the Task Force on Violence against Women, includes the development of a public awareness campaign in this area, ensuring the establishment of regional and local structures and overseeing the development of policies and guidelines in this area. The membership of the committee comprises representatives of the key Departments and agencies in the area, as well as representatives of relevant non-governmental organisations. The intention is that the committee, which has a budget of £100,000 for 1998, will produce periodic reports.
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