Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number and names of the State bodies under the aegis of her Department which are subject to the revised code of practice for the governance of State bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9264/12]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she has received the annual report on corporate governance from all State bodies under the aegis of her Department which are subject to the revised code of practice for the governance of State bodies for 2010 as required under section 13.1 of the code, if not, if she will outline which State bodies have not done so and if having reviewed the reports she is satisfied that all State bodies are complying with the provisions of the code; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9270/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 333 and 334 together.

The three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department but it does not have a Board.

Social Welfare Tribunal

The revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies does not apply to the Social Welfare Tribunal due to its structure and purpose. The Tribunal deals with cases where entitlement to Jobseeker's Benefit or Assistance is refused due to an involvement in a trade dispute. All Tribunal decisions are recorded in a Register of Adjudications and a copy of the decision is sent to the Minister, the applicant, the employer and to any other interested person. The Tribunal does not produce an annual report.

Citizens Information Board

The Citizens Information Board operates in accordance with the Revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and has complied with all requirements of Section 13.1 of the Code. The Statement on Internal Financial Control reflects the Board's compliance with the Code. The Board's Financial Statements have been audited and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The Annual Report for 2010 was received by me in December 2011.

Pensions Board and Office of the Pensions Ombudsman

The Pensions Board and the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman both operate in accordance with the Revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. This is reflected in the Statements on Internal Financial Control contained in the Annual Reports of these bodies. The Comptroller and Auditor General has reviewed these Statements on Internal Financial Control and confirmed compliance.

The Annual Report of the Pensions Board for 2010 was accepted by the Department in May 2011 and launched by me in June 2011.

The Annual Report of the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman for 2010 was accepted by the Department in November 2011.