Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.
Michael Joe Cosgrave
Ceist:
121
Mr. Cosgrave
asked the
Minister for Finance
the number of task forces or special committees set up in his Department since 1997; the date they were established; the terms of reference of each; if they have reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[24488/01]
The following is a list of task forces or special committees set up in my Department since the end of June 1997. I have included details of the terms of reference and other relevant information with regard to each body.
Internal Group for Review of Estimates and Budgetary Process
This internal working group was set up in May 2001, following a Government decision to align the Income Tax-PRSI year with the calendar year, with effect from 1 January 2002. The group was chaired by an official of the Department of Finance.
The terms of reference were:
To review the general Estimates and Budget process and timetable against the background that the Budget for years subsequent to 2002 is likely to be delivered earlier in the year than at present, and to recommend whatever changes it considers appropriate in that context to accommodate the revised time scale that would be involved and to ensure that the Government can be provided with high quality information on which to base its Estimates and Budget decision.
The report of the working group was presented to the management advisory committee of the Department of Finance on 12 October 2001.
Interdepartmental Group on Compensation Issues
This interdepartmental group was set up in 2000. The purpose of the interdepartmental group, which was chaired by an official of this Department, was, "To examine further the broader issues relating to the growth in compensation claims against the State, including consideration of certain policy issues." Two sub-groups were subsequently established to consider (i) the management of claims against the State and (ii) broader legal issues relating to compensation. The two sub-groups presented their reports earlier this year and a memorandum on the issue of compensation was submitted to Government in September 2001.
National Year 2000 Emergencies Co-ordination Committee
The committee was set up by the Government in September 1999 to oversee and co-ordinate the year 2000 contingency preparations and emergency management arrangements of the key national utility, infrastructure, health, security, financial and business sectors so as to mitigate potential disruptions to the economy and society in the event of problems arising from year 2000 computer-related incidents and millennium celebrations. The committee submitted reports to Government in December 1999 and February 2000.
Steering Group on the Review of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners
The Minister for Finance established a high level steering group in February 2000 to undertake a general review of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners in accordance with a recommendation made by the Committee of Public Accounts, Public Account Committee, Sub-Committee on Certain Revenue Matters Parliamentary Inquiry into DIRT, First Report 15 December 1999.
The Steering Group's terms of reference were as follows:
1. To carry out a general review of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and, in that context, to address in particular the following issues:
(f2>a) the independence and accountability of the Office, including a review of its current legislative base;
(f2>b) the Office's organisation, structure and practices; and
(f2>c) the desirability or otherwise of executive and non-executive Commissioners on the Board of Revenue and to make recommendations to the Minister for Finance based on the review.
2. The review will act as a preliminary exercise to, and assist in the consideration of, any new statutory framework for the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The review will have regard to relevant concerns expressed by the Committee of Public Accounts Parliamentary Inquiry into DIRT, the written request of 23 June 2000 from the same Committee to the Secretary General, Department of Finance, to have the review cover revenue prosecutions and appeals procedures, the current strategic direction of Revenue as set out in the Office's Statement of Strategy, Business Plans and Annual Reports and progress achieved to date in managing current and unfolding changes in its external environment. It will also evaluate and take into account where appropriate the changes implemented in recent years in Revenue's internal Corporate Management and reporting structures at Divisional level and below as well as the outcome of the Revenue Commissioners' recently completed organisational review. The review will also consider the experiences and responses of other tax administrations to the particular issues mentioned at 1 above.
The review was undertaken by a team drawn from the public service and management division of the Department of Finance and engaged, as required, outside consultancy assistance. The work of the review was overseen by a high level steering group. The report of the review, which was noted by Government, was submitted to the Public Accounts Committee sub-committee on 1 September 2000 and was published by it on 5 September 2000.
Interdepartmental Year 2000 Monitoring Committee.
This committee was established by a Government decision of 30 September 1997. Its terms of reference were to oversee the achievement of year 2000 compliance for IT systems and other office equipment in the Civil Service, and to report quarterly to Government on progress in this regard. This committee reported 15 times to Government. Its final report was submitted in March 2000.
VPN Procurement Group
This group was established in October 1999. Its terms of reference were to oversee and progress the procurement of a national public sector virtual private network, VPN, and related services to support e-government initiatives. The committee is in the process of evaluating responses to a request for tenders for telecommunications services issued earlier this year. It hopes to conclude these deliberations before the end of this year.
Information Society Fund
The information society fund was introduced in 2000 to support projects and initiatives undertaken by Departments under the Government's action plan for the information society. Activities in the areas of electronic government, electronic commerce and information society awareness provide the focus for the fund over the three year lifetime of the fund, 2002-2002. Proposals received from Departments are assessed for funding by an evaluation team chaired by the Department of Finance and which includes representation from the Department of the Taoiseach.
Budget Strategy for Ageing Group
The management advisory committee established the above working group in February 1999 with the following terms of reference:
To bring forward specific proposals, in the light of present and prospective substantial budget surpluses, designed to ease the longer-term budgetary burden of the Exchequer's liability for (a) social welfare and (b) public sector employee pensions implicit, respectively, in the prospective ageing of the general population and of public servants.
Its report was completed in May 1999 and is available on the Department's website.
Public Service Benchmarking Body.
The public service benchmarking body was established in July 2000. This body is independent and was established under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to examine public service pay and jobs, by comparison with the private sector and make recommendations thereon. The PSBB is due to report by the end of June 2002. There have been no interim reports to date.
The Euro Changeover Board of Ireland, ECBI, was established on 5 May 1998. It has two basic tasks: to oversee the detailed implementation of the changeover to the euro and to provide public and consumer information. The board has issued three annual reports, covering the years to end April 2001, and each publication has been sent to every member of the Oireachtas.
Freedom of Information Working Group
Terms of reference: to consider the practical implications of freedom of information legislation for Government Departments and public bodies byinter alia– developing understanding as to key requirements for public service bodies arising under FOI; accessing the manuals, rules, guidelines and other data promulgated by Departments abroad which enable citizens to exercise statutory rights under FOI; determining the organisational arrangements put in place by Departments abroad to implement FOI, having particular regard to the development of effective information management systems, the training of personnel, the handling of requests, and the processing of appeals; enabling individual Departments here to establish contacts with parallel Departments abroad, who may support and advise on the operation of FOI in their particular functional areas; and to provide a forum for discussion for general issues relating to FOI.
High Level Steering Group to undertake Overall Review of Systems of Control in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
This group was established pursuant to a decision of the Government on 12 January 1999. The terms of reference for this group were as follows:
1. To review the systems of control employed by that Department and their operation, with particular regard to FEOGA and including all relevant aspects of financial management and Information technology.
2. Make recommendations for future action where these require improvement in their application or otherwise.
3. Submit a report (which may be interim) to the Minister for Finance within three months.
This group's final report was submitted to the Minister for Finance in December 1999 following an interim report submitted in April 1999.
Selection Board dealing with the National Lottery Licence Competitive Process
To devise and issue an invitation to apply and to evaluate the formal competitive bids before appointing a licensee. The board has since reported to the Minister, and based on its recommendation, the new licence has been awarded to An Post National Lottery Company.
The Interdepartmental Advisory Committee in relation to the Charitable Lotteries Fund
The charitable lotteries fund enables charities, whose revenue earning capacity has been damaged by the national lottery, to supplement their charitable income with funding from the national lottery surplus. The work of this committee is ongoing.
The Civil Service Quality Assurance Group
The role of the Civil Service quality assurance group is to verify that the performance indicators for Civil Service Departments and Offices are satisfactory and sufficiently challengingvis-à-vis the key objectives set out in PPF and to report progress achieved against these indicators at individual Department and office level.
The Change Management Fund
This fund was established in 1999 with the aim of supporting Government Departments-Offices in their efforts to implement the strategic change agenda.
Webmaster Group
This group was set up to facilitate implementation of the web publication guidelines and to share experience and information.
Meta Data Group
This group was set up to advise and assist the meta data project co-ordinator in the development of a meta data standard for Internet resources in the public service.
HRMS
The HRMS project board was established in July 1998, to oversee the selection and implementation of a software system for human resource management, HRM, in Irish Government Departments-Offices.
Consultative Committee on Employee Share Ownership, Gainsharing and Profit Sharing
This committee was established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The committee was established to look at the tax treatment of ESOTs, gainsharing, profit sharing and other financial employee incentives in developing and deepening partnership and increasing performance and competitiveness.
Composite Account Working Group
This working group was established to review existing accounting arrangements with the aim of producing clear, accessible reports on the entire FEOGA operation for national accountability. The working group finalised its report in February 2001.
Steering Committee for Expenditure Review on Civil Service Accommodation
This group was set up to review arrangements for provision and maintenance of Civil Service accommodation.
Interdepartmental Committee on Asbestos in Public Buildings
This group was set up to examine issues arising in connection with the (past) presence of asbestos in public buildings and the programme of removal now in progress. To assess the extent of employee health and safety problems which may arise and how these might best be dealt with.
Cabinet Sub-committee on Decentralisation.
This sub-committee consists of the Minister for Finance, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. The aim of this committee is to examine all relevant aspects of decentralisation with a view to submitting proposals to the Government for consideration.
Joint Working Group – Trade Unions and Official Side
The aim of this group is to advise on the development of criteria for the next stage of decentralisation.
Travel Officers Group
Responsible for co-ordinating the procurement of travel services and the implementation of foreign travel policy. This group was set up in March 1998.
Foreign Travel Management Group
This group was set up in 1997 to examine travel management practices in Government Departments and to make recommendations on how they should be improved.
Gender Equality Management Group
Established in October 1999 following a Government decision in July 1999 that specific measures should be introduced to address gender imbalance in the Civil Service. Among these measures were the adoption of a strategic approach to gender equality based on a new gender equality policy and a set of guiding principles, which were to be rooted in the current HR reforms in the Civil Service.
Working Group on Equal Opportunities Policy for the Civil Service
The purpose of this working group is to develop a policy in relation to the grounds on which discrimination in employment is prohibited by the Employment Equality Act, 1998, other than gender.
The Banking Sector: Some Strategic Issues Report was published in August 2000 by a group comprising officials from the Department of Finance and representatives of the Central Bank which had been established in November 1999 by the Minister for Finance.
The report of the implementation advisory group on the establishment of a single regulatory authority for the financial services sector was published in May, 1999. The implementation advisory group was set up under the aegis of the Minister for Finance in November 1998.
Money Laundering Steering Committee
The main work of the committee was to draw up and oversee the implementation of guidelines for the main financial sectors affected by the money laundering provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994.
Department of Finance/Central Bank Working Group on Strategic Issues facing the Banking Sector
Established in 1999, the terms of reference for this group were to examine future developments affecting the structure of financial services, the implications for the economy, and the need and scope for policy initiatives. This group reported in August 2000.
Working Group on Banking and Consumer Issues.
This group was set up to investigate the law and practice governing the provision of financial services in Ireland and its impact on consumers. Before this group had completed its deliberations, its remit was overtaken by the Government's decision to establish a single regulator for the financial services area and to set up an implementation group to progress the necessary work.
Investor Compensation Company Ltd. (ICCL)
The ICCL was established under the Investor Compensation Act, 1998. Its objective is to maintain a compensation scheme out of which payments can be made to customers of a failed investment firm.
Determination Committees
Determination committees are provided for in the Stock Exchange Act, 1995, and the Investment Intermediaries Act, 1995. These committees allow for a non-judicial procedure whereby firms, covered by the terms of these Acts, may be investigated by committees formed from panels which were jointly established by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Finance.
The European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund Financial Control Unit
The aims of the unit are to independently examine and report on the level of compliance of EU funded projects with Structural and Cohesion Fund regulatory requirements and to contribute to the promotion of best practice in the financial management and control of EU aided programmes.
The Special EU Programmes Body
The aims of the body are to monitor, promote and manage a range of joint North-South EU funded programmes.
Department of Finance Regulatory Reform Working Group
The group was established to prepare a report in relation to primary-secondary legislation under the aegis of the Department arising from an initiative under the SMI programme. This group has reported as of January 2001.
Expert Working Group on Improving Public Finance Statements
The expert group was established by the Minister in March 1998. It was set up to examine ways in which public finance statements could be presented which would be more understandable to the general public. This group published its report in September 1998.
Tax Forecasting Methodology Group
This group was established to examine the tax forecasting methodologies used by the Department of Finance in the preparation of the tax revenue forecast for budgetary purposes. The report of the group was published in November 1998.
Budget Day Working Group
This group was established to identify and assess alternative budget dates and make a recommendation on the date on which the 2002 budget and beyond should be presented to Dáil Éireann. The group was also to draw up an Estimates and budget timetable. The report of this group was published on the Department of Finance website on 14 March 2001.
Interdepartmental Group on Public Private Partnerships
This group's purpose is to develop criteria for and advise on the issues arising in implementing public-private partnerships.
Informal Public-Private Advisory Group on Public Private Partnerships
This group's objective is to report to the Minister on the issues arising in relation to public-private partnerships.
Working Group on the Accountability of Secretaries General and Accounting Officers
The group was established following a Government Decision of 31 May 2000. It had its first meeting on 20 September 2000. The terms of reference of the group are as follows:
(a) to examine the authority, responsibility and accountability of Accounting Officers in relation to financial management in the context of the Performance Management Initiative within the overall Strategic Management Initiative (SMI);
(b) on the basis of this examination, to prepare for the consideration of the Government new rules of good governance taking account of
(i) the complexities and sensitivities of the relationship between Secretaries General and Ministers, and
(ii) the specific functions exercised by Secretaries General who are Accounting Officers;
(c) to consider whether separate arrangements should be put in place in relation to Accounting Officers and, if so, what these might be;
(d) to report to the Minister within 12 months of its establishment.
The group has sought and has been given an extension of the period for the submission of the report until January 2002.
Working Group on the Implications of EMU Membership for Various Aspects of Public policy.
Anad hoc Department of Finance principal officer group was set up in February 1998 with terms of reference as follows:
To examine and report on the implications of EMU membership for economic and fiscal policy, with particular regard to competitiveness, taxation, spending and incomes policy, and to suggest what action the Department needs to take in this regard in relation to the formulation and implementation of policy post 1999.
The group's report, with some input from the assistant secretary group, was published on the Department's website in June 1999.
EU Structural Funds
Committees set up since 1997 are as follows:
(i) National Development Plan-Community Support Framework (NDP-CSF) – Monitoring Committee,
This committee was set up in 2000 and had its first meeting on 20 October of that year. This committee is charged with monitoring developments under the NDP-CSF programme during the period 2000-06.
(ii) NDP-CSF Technical Assistance Monitoring Committee.
This committee was also established in 2000 and held its first meeting on 29 November of that year. The committee is charged with the ongoing monitoring of measures under the NDP-CSF technical assistance operational programme during the period 2000-06.
(iii) Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2000-2004 Monitoring Committee.
This committee was established in 2000, and held its first meeting on 20 December of that year. The committee is charged with the ongoing monitoring of developments under the Programme for Peace and Reconciliation during the period 2000-04.
(iv) The action team on the role of cross-Border corridor groups in use of EU funding along the Border corridor was set up by me and the Minister for Finance and personnel in Northern Ireland in January 2001. It reported to the North-South Ministerial Council on 4 April 2001.
The terms of reference of this committee are as follows:
The scope of the work of the action team was to consider how best the Border Corridor Groups could contribute to decisions on spending from the new round of EU Structural Funds support in the Border Corridor, in particular the Ireland/Northern Ireland INTERREG IIIA CIP and the cross-border components of the Peace II Programme.
In this context, the action team was to consider the following: maximising the role of the groups to bring practical benefits to the communities on both sides of the Border; the potential for a performance indicator which will optimise the outcome of spend on the Border corridor, regardless of spending authority; complementarity with existing structures North and South; complementarity of actions across related expenditure programmes, both EU and national; and linkages with other district councils-sectoral representatives within the eligible area for INTERREG III and Peace II.
In carrying out this remit, the action team was to give due consideration to the following factors: the legal, operational competencies and remit of local authorities North and South; EU Structural Funds regulations; the role of the member states, Government Departments, Special EU Programmes Body and other delivery agents; accountability; efficiency and effectiveness; and transparency and inclusiveness in EU funds management and delivery.
(v) The working group on the implementation of the Common Chapter was set up by the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC, in 2000 in the special EU programmes sector to review progress on the implementation of the Common Chapter in the development plan, North and South, and to bring forward proposals to the next meeting of the NSMC in the special EU programmes sector. The first meeting was held on 2 July and the working group's report is in preparation.
(vi) A selection committee, consisting of interdepartmental representatives together with a representative from the European Commission, was established in March 1997 in order to select consultants for upgrade of the financial management and control systems of both the European Regional Development Fund, European Regional Development Fund, and the Cohesion Fund. The group selected Arthur Andersen from those companies which tendered for the project. Subsequently a steering committee was established in May 1997, again with interdepartmental representation and an European Commission representative, to oversee the management of the project. The group monitored the study and finally accepted Arthur Andersen's reports on both funds.
Taxation Groups
A secondary tax group was set up by the Department of the Taoiseach in July 1998. There are no formal terms of reference – the purpose of the group is to discuss technical tax issues to do with the dismantling of the ring-fence around the IFSC. No formal report is expected. The issues raised by the group are addressed in the various Finance Bills since the group was set up. Since 1997, however, the Department has chaired and provided the secretariat for a number of working groups established under Partnership 2000 and the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. These include the working group to examine tax credits and standard rating and the Partnership 2000 working group on tax credits established under the former, and working groups examining work related expenses and benefits and the role of refundable tax credits, and a consultative committee on employee financial participation, respectively, established under the latter agreement.
Working Group on Taxation of Returns on Credit Union Savings
It was announced on 17 February 1998 that this working group would be set up under an independent chairman. Its first meeting was on 19 May 1998. The terms of reference of the working group were: to examine the taxation of returns on credit union savings bearing in mind; the special and particular nature of the credit union movement; the contribution that credit unions have made to Irish society; and the wider taxation issues involved. The chairman presented the report on 1 October 1998.
Inter-Divisional Group to deal with Department of Finance's Response to the Recommendations-Findings of the Public Accounts Committee Report on DIRT
The group was established in December 1999, and had a number of meetings over a six month period. No formal report was prepared, but the group acted as a co-ordination mechanism in regard to the responses of individual sections of the Department to the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee report.
Working Group on the Exchange of Information between the Central Bank and the Revenue Commissioners
On foot of the Sub-committee of the Committee of Public Accounts concerning Certain Revenue Matters, a group has been established to examine the issue of the exchange of information between the Central Bank and the Revenue Commissioners.
Working Group in relation to Corporation Tax Issues.
This working group is currently examining a number of issues relating to the introduction of the general 12½% rate of corporation tax.
Working Group on the Taxation of PRSAs
This interdepartmental working group was established to consider revenue rules for the new pension product – the personal retirement savings account, PRSA. The group is made up of representatives from the Department of Finance, the Revenue Commissioners, the Pensions Board and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs. A submission was made to the Minister for Finance in January 2001 in advance of the publication of the Pensions Bill by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
Environmental Taxation Group (The Green Tax Group)
The group examines the role of green taxes and surveys the scope for amendments to same.
Special Working Group on Refundable Tax Credits
This group was established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to examine the role that refundable tax credits can play in the tax and welfare system.
Interdepartmental Group to Review Arrangements for Delivery of Local Authority Veterinary Services
The Department of Finance currently chairs this group. The group has met on two occasions but have yet to report its findings. It is made up of representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Health and Children and the Environment and Local Government and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The group's first two meetings took place on 13 June and 7 August.
