Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2012
647 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if any State board appointees have volunteered to waive their fee or expenses; the names of such persons; the corresponding savings to the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11890/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy that there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the children detention schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001. They are funded through my Department's Vote and I am responsible for the appointment of their board of management.
One member of the Board of Management of the Oberstown Children Detention Schools, Mr. John Harraghy, waived his fee amounting to a saving of €2992.50 for 2011.
In relation to the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) only the Chairman is in receipt of a fee on a personal to holder basis. This fee has not thus far been waived. On the matter of expenses, of those entitled to claim expenses from the NEWB, no-one has given notification of an intention to waive expenses.
I can also confirm that fees or expenses have not been waived in respect of board appointees of the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Family Support Agency.
It is possible that Board members may simply choose not to submit an expenses claim without notifying their Board of their intention, in which case I would be unaware of any such waiving of expenses and any consequential savings.
The Ombudsman for Children does not have a Board of Management.
