Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
658. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of agencies, authorities, boards, committees, working groups, tribunals, council services, task forces, agencies or other quangos set up by her Department since February 2011; the number abolished since then; the extra cost of quangos which were established; the savings from the abolition of quangos; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37251/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI appointed a Steering Group on the National Internship Scheme in May 2011 to advise me on the implementation of the scheme. The Steering Group is comprised of representatives from the private, public and voluntary sectors. No direct costs have been incurred.
I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare in June 2011 in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government. Members of the Group have expertise in economic and social policy as well as other relevant areas and include a mix of experience and expertise from within and outside the public sector. Direct costs to date are €23,400.
An Interdepartmental Project Board for the contracting of External Employment Services was set up this summer. No direct costs have been incurred to date.
A working group was set up in July 2012 to review the Domiciliary Care Allowance scheme and is due to report by year end. The group has representatives from other Government Departments and from Non-Government Organisations representing parents of children with disabilities. No direct costs have been incurred to date.
A working group was established in August 2012 to examine section 48 of the Pensions Act. This deals with the priority order of the distribution of assets in a scheme wind up. The group comprises of representatives from the Department and the Pensions Board with assistance being provided by the pensions industry consultancy, Mercer. The only costs are the costs of the consultancy which are €15,000 plus VAT.
The above five groups established since I came into office in March 2011 are still in place as the work they are doing is valuable and pertinent to the particular areas and issues with which they are concerned. In addition, a working group on Pension Charges to gather information on the level and distribution of pension charges and expenses across all occupational pension types was established in July 2011. The group comprised of representatives from the Department, the Pensions Board and the Central Bank. The work of this group is largely complete. Consultancy costs are €50,000 plus VAT.
