Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together.

The National Economic and Social Council is an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of my Department. The NESC is a valuable forum where strategic policy matters relevant to Ireland's economic social, environmental and sustainable development can be analysed and discussed between a variety of actors and Departments.

The work of the council focuses on the strategic and longer-term view. It recently agreed a new work programme comprising the following core areas of work: shared island; housing; sustainable development, climate and biodiversity action; good jobs and resilience in transitions; elder care; and galvanising vision. In addition, to date in 2020 and in response to the Covid-19 crisis the NESC secretariat has published seven working papers on Covid-19 across a range of issues, including the implications of Covid-19 on housing in Ireland, protecting enterprises, employment and incomes and progressing sustainability in the context of Covid-19.

In accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 I have certain functions regarding NESC, such as presenting reports to Government prior to publication or laying them before the Houses, as in the case of the annual reports. The council is funded through my Department's Vote and my Department also has governance responsibilities in respect of the council.

I appoint members to the council under the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 and SI 603 of 2010. Each of the following sectors nominate three representatives to the council: business and employer interests, ICTU, farming and agricultural interests, community and voluntary sector and the environmental sector. There are also seven independent members on the council. A further six members are public servants, mainly Secretaries General, and this group must include a representative of my Department and the Department of Finance. The Secretary General of my Department is the chairperson of the council and an assistant secretary of my Department is the deputy chairperson. Since becoming Taoiseach I have made one appointment to the council.

The National Economic and Social Development Office is the body corporate for the NESC. Section 13 of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 provides that the chairperson and deputy chairperson of NESC are members of the NESDO. The National Statistics Board was established under the Statistics Act 1993 to guide the broad strategic direction of the Central Statistics Office and in particular to establish priorities for the development of official statistics in Ireland. The legislation provides that the NSB shall consist of eight members, including an assistant secretary or equivalent or higher grade from my Department and the Department of Finance and the Director General of the CSO. In August I made one new appointment to the NSB. Three other members were reappointed for second terms.

All appointments to NESC and the NSB have been made in line with the relevant legislative provisions and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines on appointments to state boards. Finally, one principal officer in my Department has been nominated to the council of Gasice. These appointments are made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

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