Written answers

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Department of An Taoiseach

Departmental Agencies

8:00 pm

Photo of Maureen O'SullivanMaureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 85: To ask the Taoiseach 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. [2057/12]

Photo of Enda KennyEnda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only State Agency under the aegis of my Department. The NESDO was established under the NESDO Act 2006 and is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC).

The composition of the NESDO, as set out in the Act consists of the chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of the NESC, the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP).

Following the dissolution of the NESF and NCPP on 1 April 2010, the membership of NESDO now only comprises the Chairperson of NESC. Historically, the position of Deputy chair of NESC is assigned to an Assistant Secretary in my Department. I intend to fill this position in due course once the current restructuring of my Department is completed. No expenses are paid in respect of membership of NESDO or attendance at its meetings. Attendance is recorded in the minutes of each meeting.

The composition of the NESC, as set out in the Act, consists of a Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson and members appointed on the basis of nominations received from representatives of trade unions, business and employers, farmers' organisations, environmental sector, community and voluntary sectors, in addition to a number of public servants and independent experts. The NESC meets on a monthly basis and attendance is recorded. Members are entitled to claim for travel and subsistence for their attendance at each meeting and €2,002.77 has been claimed by members from 9 March, 2011 to date.

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