Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Taoiseach the terms of reference, functions and purpose of the National Economic and Social Forum, the First Information Society Commission and the National Millennium Committee; if these agencies are still operational; the reason these functions cannot be carried out by his Department; the benefits to the Irish taxpayer from the work of the agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35073/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The National Economic and Social Forum, established in 1993, continues in existence. The First Information Society Commission ceased to exist in December 2000 and the National Millennium Committee in June 2002. Section 10 of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act, 2006 sets out the functions of the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF), as follows:

To advise the Taoiseach on policies to achieve greater equality and social inclusion, and such other matters as may be specified by the Taoiseach in the context of social partnership arrangements, by analysing, monitoring and evaluating relevant programmes and policies, and to facilitate public consultation on policy matters referred to it, from time to time, by the Government.

Any advice made to the Taoiseach may be made either at the request of the Taoiseach or at the initiative of the Forum. The functions of the Forum, as set out in the Act, may be amended or added to by order of the Taoiseach following consultation with any Minister represented on the Forum. It should be noted that, by helping to achieve a better balance between economic and social policies in its work, the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) has contributed to social cohesion and inclusion in our society and has also strengthened and widened the social partnership process.

The First Information Society Commission had the function of shaping and overseeing the implementation of a strategic framework for the development of the Information Society in Ireland. The Commission was also charged with promoting, co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of the actions required from Government and other key actors in the development of the Information Society. The terms of reference as outlined at the time of the appointment of the Commission, in particular, mandated the Commission to:

identify quantifiable benchmarks for the development of an Information Society in Ireland and monitor the achievement of these benchmarks on an annual basis. To ask the relevant state agencies, Departments and private sector groups to assist the Commission by providing status reports and evaluations on a regular basis on the development of the Information Society within their areas of responsibility and expertise;

develop and implement awareness programmes itself and in conjunction with relevant state agencies, Departments, and private sector groups, targeted at all sectors of the community on the benefits and opportunities of the Information Society;

recommend measures to increase access to information and communications technologies in homes, schools, businesses and public offices, and particularly measures aimed at those in disadvantaged groups;

establish advisory groups which would highlight specific sectoral issues with respect to the Information Society and develop recommendations for action;

encourage and monitor Information Society initiatives especially at local and regional level in the delivery of public services and information; and

prepare an annual report for submission by the Taoiseach on the Commission's behalf to the Oireachtas.

The first Information Society Commission was established by the Government in May 1997, in response to the Report of Ireland's Information Society Steering Committee: "Information Society Ireland: Strategy for Action", and completed its term of office in December 2000. The Commission provided a forum for representatives from across all sectors to participate in the policy process of Government and therefore was an invaluable contribution to democracy and the democratic process. While it is not possible to put a monetary value on this contribution, there is no doubt that the taxpayer gained considerably from the creation of greater access to a wide sectoral opinion in this crucial policy area.

The Commission submitted three annual reports to Government. It also published a report on Lifelong Learning in the Information Society and a report on IT Access for All. Many of the recommendations contained in these reports were accepted by Government and included in the Government's Action Plan on the Information Society and the Information Society commitments in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.

The terms of reference of the National Millennium Committee were to examine and to make recommendations on projects of national significance to be included in the Government's Millennium Programme. It was established in 1998. The Millennium Committee's work was done by April 2000, following the commitment by the Government of Committee funds to the recommended projects. The total amount allocated to the Committee for the Millennium Programme was €30.09 million — all of which was allocated by April 2000.

A small office of four Civil Servants operating within the Department provided the secretariat to the Committee. This Office remained in place until June 2002, when it was abolished, to supervise the drawdown of the allocated funds according to agreed drawdown arrangements. The establishment of this office within the operational confines of the Department allowed for this unique Millennium Programme to be administered in a cohesive, focused fashion. The staffing cost of this Office in 2002 was €132,000. The Board had 13 members at the time of its abolition.