Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of agencies, authorities, boards, committees, workings groups, tribunals, council services, task forces, agencies, or other quangos set up by her since February 2011; the number abolished since then; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7533/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I established an Advisory Group on Tax and Social Welfare in June 2011 in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government. Members of the Group have expertise in economic and social policy as well as other relevant areas and include a mix of experience and expertise from within and outside the public sector.

I appointed a Steering Group on the National Internship Scheme in May 2011 to advise me on the implementation of the scheme. The Steering Group is comprised of representatives from the private, public and voluntary sectors.

A working group on Pension Charges to gather information on the level and distribution of pension charges and expenses across all occupational pension types was established in July 2011. The group comprises of representatives from the Department, the Pensions Board and the Central Bank.

The three groups established since I came into office last March are still in place as the work they are doing is valuable and pertinent to the particular areas and issues with which they are concerned.