Written Answers - Departmental Appointments. – Dáil Éireann (28th Dáil) – Tuesday, 2 Feb 1999

Written Answers - Departmental Appointments.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

278 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number and identity of persons appointed by him to various boards, agencies or executives since coming into office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2646/99]

Minister for Social Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern):

The statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Combat Poverty Agency, the Pensions Board and National Social Service Board.

I announced the establishment of a new agency called COMHAIRLE on 23 December 1998. COMHAIRLE will be responsible for the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services for all citizens throughout the country, including people with disabilities. It will combine the National Social Service Board NSSB with relevant functions of the National Rehabilitation Board NRB.

I recently appointed a new NSSB Board comprising of a chairman and 19 other members. This board will be designated as the board of COMHAIRLE as soon as the necessary legislation has been enacted. I re-appointed Dr. Donal De Buitléir as chairperson, of the new board on 29 June 1998. All other members were appointed on 23 December 1998, with the exception of Mr. Peter Sands who was appointed on 8 May 1998. The current membership is Dr. Donal De Buitléir, chairman, Mr. Peter Sands, Ms Carol Brill, Mr. Tom Mulherin, Mr. Michael McCloone, Ms Rosarii Moylan, Ms Mary Murphy, Ms Mary Fitzgerald, Ms Claire Young, Ms Mairin Byrne, Mr. Peter McLachlan, Mr. John Hogan, Mr. Terry O'Sullivan, Mrs. Kitty King, Ms Ann Marie White, Mr. Martin Naughton, Mr. Tom Doherty, Mr. Anthony Mahoney, Ms Olive Howlett, and Mr. Alan O'Connor.

Mr. Tom Mulherin, Ms Mary Murphy, Mr Michael McCloone and Ms Rosarii Moylan, are re-appointed for a period of 18 months. All other appointments are for a three year period from their date of appointment.

Current legislation provides that the number of members of the board of the Combat Poverty Agency at any one time shall not be less than eight or more than 16. All members are appointed by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs. Members serve for a period of three years. The current members and their term of office are:–

	Appointed	Term Expires
Anna Lee(Chairperson)	22/6/1998(First appt.21/6/95)	21/6/2001
Berni Brady	3/7/1996	2/7/1999
Fergus McCabe	3/7/1996	2/7/1999
Fionnuala Richardson	3/7/1996	2/7/1999
Hugh Frazer(Director)	3/7/1996	2/7/1999
Michelle Power	7/7/1996	2/7/1999
Eoin O'Malley	3/7/1996	2/7/1999
Niall Fitzduff	3/7/1996	2/7/1999
Clare Farrell	6/3/1997	5/3/2000
Brian Kenny(Vice Chairperson)	5/6/1997	4/6/2000
Feargus Ó Raghallaigh*	25/6/1997	24/6/2000
Liam Barrett*	26/6/1997	25/6/2000
Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy	5/11/1997	4/11/2000
Pearse O'Hanrahan	5/11/1997	4/11/2000
Frank Mulcahy	5/11/1997	4/11/2000
Bernadette Lacey	3/2/1998	2/2/2001

*Appointed by the previous administration.

There are currently no vacancies on the board of the CPA. The following members were appointed by me since I came into office on 26 June 1997:

Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy – appointed on 5/11/97

Pearse O'Hanrahan – appointed on 5/11/97

Frank Mulcahy – appointed on 5/11/97

Bernadette Lacey – appointed on 3/2/98

Anna Lee – re-appointed as Chairperson on 22/6/98

The Pensions Board comprises 15 members, including the chairperson. This is the maximum number of members allowed under current legislation. Members can serve for a maximum period of five years. The term of office of all current members will expire on 20 December 2000. All members are appointed by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs. Some are nominated by different organisations and some are representatives of the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs and the Minister for Finance. The current members and their term of office are:–

		Appointed
Mr. Eamonn Heffernan	Chairperson – nominee of Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs	21/12/95
Mr. Kevin Brabazon*	Nominated by IBEC	12/9/98
Ms Kay Brophy	Nominee of Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs.	21/12/95
Mr. Alan Broxson	Nominated by the Irish Association of Pensions Funds	5/7/96
Ms Rosheen Callender	Nominee of Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs.	21/12/95
Ms Deirdre Carroll	Representative of the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs	21/12/95
Ms Marie Daly**	Nominated by IBEC	2/12/98
Mr. James Kehoe	Nominated by the Society of Actuaries in Ireland	21/12/95
Ms Raymonde Kelly	Nominated by the Association of Pension Lawyers	21/12/95
Ms Maria Kinlan	Trustee representative, nominated by ICTU	5/7/96
Mr. Ciaran Long	Nominated by the Irish Insurance Federation	21/12/95
		Appointed
Mr. Stephen McCarthy	Nominated by ICTU	21/12/95
Ms Veronica McDermott	Nominee of Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs.	21/12/95
Mr. Joe Mooney	Representative of the Minister for Finance	21/12/95
Mr. Robert Woods	Nominated by the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies in Ireland	21/12/95

*Mr Kevin Brabazon, who was appointed by me on 12 September 1998, replaced Ms Caroline Jenkinson as the IBEC nomination for an occupational pension scheme trustee.

**Ms Marie Daly, who was appointed by me on 2 December 1998, also nominated by IBEC, replaced Mr. Pat Delaney.

*Mr. Delaney was appointed by me to the board on 1 February 1998 following the resignation of Mr. Donal McAleese.

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht - Tuesday, 2 Feb 1999