Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 406: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will provide a list of the vacancies on the boards of statutory or State bodies and other statutory appointments which currently exist and which must be made by him or the Government; the reason, in each case, for the vacancy; and when each vacancy will be filled. [24183/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The five statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, Comhairle, the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition, the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of my Department.

There are currently no vacancies on the Pensions Board. There are currently no vacancies on the board of the Combat Poverty Agency. There are three vacancies on the board of Comhairle at present as a result of three members reaching the end of their term of office. However, it is not proposed to fill these vacancies as the Comhairle Amendment Bill 2005 proposes to reduce the numbers on the board from 20 to 15. There are currently no vacancies on the board of the Family Support Agency. There are currently no vacancies on the Social Welfare Tribunal.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will provide a list of boards of statutory or State bodies and statutory appointments to which vacancies are expected to fall due between now and 31 December 2005 for appointments to be made by him or the Government; and the mechanisms envisaged by which the appointees will be selected. [24197/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The five statutory agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, Comhairle, the Family Support Agency and the Social Welfare Tribunal. In addition, the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of my Department.

The Pensions Board was established in December 1990 under the Pensions Act 1990. The role of the board is to monitor and supervise the provisions of the Pensions Acts, as amended, relating to occupational pensions and to advise the Minister on all matters relating to its functions and on matters relating to pensions generally. The current Pensions Board term of office will finish in December 2005. The method of selection to the board is mainly by nomination by representative bodies as laid down in the Pensions Act.

The Combat Poverty Agency was established in September 1986 under the Combat Poverty Agency Act 1986. The main functions of the agency are to advise the Minister for Social and Family Affairs on all aspects of economic and social planning with regard to poverty, to initiate and evaluate measures aimed at overcoming poverty and to promote greater public understanding of the nature, causes and extent of poverty and the measures necessary to overcome poverty. The term of office of the staff representative on the board of the Combat Poverty Agency is due to expire on 4 December 2005. The replacement will be selected by the staff of the agency. No other vacancies are expected between now and 31 December 2005.

Comhairle was established on 12 June 2000 under the provisions of the Comhairle Act 2000. Comhairle is responsible for supporting the provision of independent information, advice and advocacy services for citizens throughout the country, including people with disabilities. Seven vacancies fall due later this year as a result of these members reaching, including the chairman, the end of their term of office.

The Family Support Agency was established on 6 May 2003, under the Family Support Agency Act 2001. The remit of the agency is to provide a family mediation service; support, promote and develop the provision of marriage and relationship counselling and other family supports; support, promote and develop the family and community; undertake research, provide and disseminate information about parenting and family issues and provide advice to the Minister on matters relating to its functions. There are no vacancies expected between now and 31 December 2005.

The Social Welfare Tribunal is a statutory body set up in 1982 to deal with cases where entitlement to unemployment benefit or unemployment assistance is refused due to an involvement in a trade dispute. The tribunal is an independent agency. The members are appointed by the Minister on foot of nominations by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Business Employers Confederation. There are no vacancies expected between now and 31 December 2005.