Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 5, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on social policy met on 21 September. No other Cabinet committee meetings have been held since 22 July 2011. However, the Government and the Economic Management Council have met several times. Meetings of five Cabinet committees are scheduled between now and the end of October.

Each Cabinet committee is supported by a senior officials' group, generally chaired by an assistant secretary in my Department and with membership drawn from the relevant Departments. As in previous Administrations, supporting Cabinet committees is a core function of the relevant policy division in my Department and is undertaken in addition to other responsibilities of the staff involved.

A second Secretary General has been appointed in my Department, whose responsibilities include managing support for the Economic Management Council, which has the status of a Cabinet committee, and reporting to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on matters relating to the council. No staff have yet been assigned on a full-time basis to that committee. It is supported by staff from my Department with assistance from other Departments as appropriate.

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