Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the public bodies under the control of his Department; their function, role, location and establishment date; the administration costs of each body in the year 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20471/06]

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 Social Welfare Tribunal, and the Family Support Agency.

Pensions Board

The Pensions Board was established to regulate occupational pension schemes and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) in Ireland as part of its statutory role to monitor and supervise the operation of the Pensions Act.

Under the Pensions Act the functions of the Board are to

— monitor and supervise the operation of the Pensions Act and pension developments generally, including the activities of PRSA providers in relation to the provision of PRSA products and the operation of Personal Retirement Savings Accounts.

— advise the Minister, at his request or on its own initiative on all matters relating to the functions assigned to the Board under the Pensions Act and on matters relating to pensions generally

— issue guidelines and guidance notes on the duties of scheme trustees and others responsible for the administration of pension scheme and PRSAs

— issue guidelines and guidance notes on the operation of the Pensions Act.

— encourage the provision of appropriate training facilities for scheme trustees

— publish an annual report and other reports considered necessary from time to time.

— perform such tasks as the Minister may request from time to time.

The first Pensions Board was appointed from 21st December 1990. It is located at Verschoyle House, 28/30 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. Expenditure by the Pensions Board in 2005 amounted to EUR5.65m. These costs are, in the main, funded by fees levied on pension schemes and PRSA providers.

Combat Poverty Agency

The functions of the Combat Poverty Agency are to

— examine and research the nature, causes and extent of poverty in Ireland

— promote greater public understanding of the nature, causes and extent of poverty and the measures necessary to overcome poverty.

— evaluate measures aimed at overcoming poverty;

— advise the Minister for Social and Family Affairs in relation to poverty;

Combat Poverty Agency was established on 15 September 1986. It is located at Bridgewater Centre, Conyngham Road, Islandbridge, Dublin 8. The provisional administration expenditure figure for 2005 was EUR2.347m.

Comhairle

Comhairle's role is to promote greater accessibility, co-ordination and public awareness of social services and to support, promote and develop the provision of information on current social services. It is also mandated to assist and support people, particularly those with disabilities, in identifying and understanding their needs and options and in accessing their entitlements to social and other services.

It is responsible for

— supporting the provision of information

— advice and advocacy services to members of the public on a wide range of civil and social services.

Comhairle was established on 12 June 2000 when it took on the work of the former National Social Services Board and aspects of the work of the former National Rehabilitation Board. Its head office is located at Floor 7, Hume House, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. The administration costs of Comhairle in the year 2005 were approximately EUR7.5m.

Social Welfare Tribunal

The role of the Social Welfare Tribunal is to deal with cases where entitlement to Unemployment Benefit or Assistance is refused due to an involvement in a trade dispute.

The Tribunal is a statutory body set up in 1982. It is located at Department of Social & Family Affairs, 157 Townsend Street, Dublin 2. The administrative cost of the Social Welfare Tribunal for the year 2005 was EUR4,468.74.

Family Support Agency

The role of the Family Support Agency is to promote family and community well-being through the provision of appropriate supports and services to families.

Its function 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.

The Family Support Agency was formally established on 6 May 2003. It is located in St. Stephen's Green House, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. The administration cost in the year 2005 was EUR3.786m.