Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the sections and subsections of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 that have not commenced. [15988/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Section 1(6) of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 provided that Sections 8, 22, 24, 26 to 29 (Part 4) and Part 5 of that Act would come into effect by Commencement Order. The position in relation to those sections is as follows:

Section 8 was commenced by Statutory Instrument No. 112 of 2009 and will come into effect on 1 January 2010.

Section 22 provides for the disregard of the income levy for the purposes of the means assessment applicable to family income supplement. The disregard has been applied to all claims for the supplement since 1 January 2009. However, due to an administrative oversight, the Commencement Order was not completed. The Order will be promulgated shortly.

Section 24 of the Act was commenced by Statutory Instrument No. 69 of 2009 and came into effect on 2 March 2009.

Sections 26 to 29 (Part 4)

In Budget 2009 the Government announced its decision to assign responsibility for the MABS to the Citizens Information Board. Part 4 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provision) Act, 2008 provides for the amendment of the Citizens Information Acts 2000 to 2007 to enhance the functions of the Citizens Information Board through the assignment to it of responsibility for the provision of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service.

The arrangements to transfer responsibility for the MABS from the Department of Social and Family Affairs to the Board are on schedule and it is envisaged that Part 4 will be commenced with effect from 1 July 2009.

Sections 30 to 38 (Part 5)

In Budget 2009 the Government announced that the Combat Poverty Agency and the Office for Social Inclusion are to be integrated within the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Part 5 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008, provides for the dissolution of the Combat Poverty Agency, the transfer of the Agency's staff, assets and liabilities to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and for the preparation of final accounts.

The project to integrate the Combat Poverty Agency and the Office for Social Inclusion is well advanced and it is envisaged that Part 5 will be commenced with effect from 1 July 2009.