Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 669: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of State agencies currently financed by the Exchequer; the number of board members attending each State agency; the expenses issued for each meeting; if any review of the membership of board members is to be taken in order to monitor attendance levels or lack of attendance by any member; and if he will make a statement on the matter.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2049/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Civil Defence Board, the Army Pensions Board and the Board of Coiste an Asgard. The Civil Defence Board comprises 14 members. There is no remuneration attached to membership of the Civil Defence Board. Board members, including the Chairperson, are entitled to claim reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform guidelines.

Legislation is currently being drafted to dissolve the Civil Defence Board and transfer the functions of the Board back into the Department of Defence. The Army Pensions Board comprises three members: a chairperson, a civilian doctor, and an officer of the Army Medical Corps. Board meetings cannot take place without all members being present. The chairperson and the civilian doctor are entitled to annual fees of €7,618 and €5,079 respectively.

In the context of settling the Estimates for the Department of Defence for 2010, the Government decided that the national sail training scheme operated by Coiste an Asgard would be discontinued as recommended in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure. The winding up of Coiste an Asgard is currently underway, and the question of expenses does not arise.