Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2010
183 Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of Government websites operated by his Department including agencies under his Department; the cost of maintenance of these websites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22435/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department currently maintains three websites. Agencies under the remit of the Department maintain another seven websites. The Department's main website, www.welfare.ie, contains information on the range of schemes and services provided by the Department, as well as policy publications and on-line services. Support and maintenance costs for the website and associated content management system for 2010 is €47,400.
Responsibility for the General Register Office was transferred from the Department of Health and Children to the Department from January 1st, 2008. The maintenance cost for the www.groireland.ie website for 2010 is €2,000. The Department also maintains the www.pensionsgreenpaper.ie website. The maintenance cost for this website for 2010 is €1,000.
The Citizens Information Board, which comes under the aegis of the Department, is the national information agency with responsibility for supporting the provision of independent information and advice on the broad range of social services including social welfare services. The Citizens Information Board maintains five websites. The websites and associated maintenance costs are as follows:
|
Website |
2010 Maintenance costs |
|
€ |
|
|
www.citizensinformation.ie |
234,500 |
|
www.assistireland.ie |
47,200 |
|
www.losingyourjob.ie |
2,500 |
|
www.citizensinformationboard.ie |
1,200 |
|
www.keepingyourhome.ie |
860 |
The Pensions Board's website www.pensionsboard.ie provides a range of information on occupational pension schemes and on other pension-related topics. The maintenance cost for this website for 2010 is €10,090. The role of the independent Office of the Pensions Ombudsman is to investigate complaints and disputes in relation to occupational pension schemes and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts. There is no maintenance cost for the website www.pensionsombudsman.ie in 2010.
The Social Welfare Appeals Tribunal does not have an independent website. Information relating to the Tribunal is published on www.welfare.ie. I am satisfied that the websites operated by the Department and its agencies provide valuable information in respect of their services and areas of responsibility.
