Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, together.

Cabinet committees exist to facilitate the development and co-ordination of public policy in areas where the objectives require the contribution of a variety of Departments and agencies. Their work is ancillary to the work of the Government as a collective authority and meetings are held as necessary. The Government Committee on Economic Renewal was established in September 2008. The committee was reconstituted earlier this year to incorporate the Cabinet Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation and was renamed the Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal and Jobs. Membership of the committee, which I chair, includes the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. Other Ministers attend where required by the agenda.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal and Jobs has met 18 times to date, four of which took place this year, and is due to meet again on 13 October. With other members of the committee, I also met with the heads of State agencies on 22 September to review their plans to support job creation and help the unemployed. The meeting was briefed on latest progress by each of the agencies and it was agreed that the Cabinet committee would get quarterly progress reports on delivery of our jobs strategy across all sectors.

We also identified a number of priority issues and initiatives which will be taken forward by Ministers and the Cabinet committee over the coming weeks. My colleagues in Government and I will continue to work closely with heads of all of the State development and training agencies to monitor progress in their work, support them in their crucial work and to ensure that there is the sharpest possible focus on job creation across all parts of Government.

I also chair the Cabinet committees on European Affairs; Social Inclusion, Children and Integration; Health; Irish and the Gaeltacht; Climate Change and Energy Security; and Transforming Public Services. The Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security last met on 9 October 2009. The next meeting of that committee is scheduled for 6 October 2010.

I am circulating in the Official Report, for the information of the Deputies, a list of Cabinet Committees and their membership.

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