Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 807: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [2047/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would like to inform the Deputy that the position in respect of my Department is that four agencies are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Family Support Agency, the National Educational Welfare Board and the Ombudsman for Children.

The Adoption Authority of Ireland has a total of seven board members, in accordance with Section 98 of the Adoption Act 2010. There are two vacancies at present.

The National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) has a full complement of 13 members in accordance with Section 9 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000. There are currently 9 Board members, including the CEO, and 4 vacancies.

The Family Support Agency (FSA) currently has 5 serving members including the Chairperson. The full complement of the Agency is 12 members in accordance with Section 10 of the Family Support Agency Act 2001.

The Office of the Ombudsman for Children does not have a Board.

All Board members are paid travel and subsistence as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the governing legislation, for attendance at Board meetings. A record of attendance at all meetings is maintained. Details of expenses for each meeting are not available in the manner requested by the Deputy. However, I can advise the Deputy that a total of €7609 was paid by the NEWB in travel and subsistence to members in respect of 17 meetings of the Board during 2010. Provisional figures for 2011 indicate that the FSA paid €22,181.40 to members for travel and subsistence in respect of 10 meetings of the Agency.

Governance arrangements for these agencies will be examined in my Department in the context of the review of delivery of family and children services and in the context of this Governments commitment to Public Service Reform.