Written answers
Tuesday, 30 September 2014
Department of Social Protection
Departmental Agencies
Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
181. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide in tabular form all of the State agencies, bodies, organisations and working groups under her Department's remit, the core duties and functions of same, the number of staff at same, the budget of each for 2013 and proposed budget for 2014, the date of establishment of the agencies or organisations and the legislation, primary or otherwise, from which they derive their powers. [37211/14]
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I am aware that the Deputy has clarified that his question relates to the statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. These bodies are the Pensions Authority, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman, the Citizens Information Board, and the Social Welfare Tribunal. Details requested by the Deputy in relation to these bodies are outlined in the table.
Statutory Bodies
| Statutory Body | Core Duties and Functions | Number of Staff Serving | Budget Allocation 2013 | Budget Allocation 2014 | Date of establishment of the Body | Legislation primary or otherwise from which they derive their powers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Pensions Authority | The Pensions Authority (formerly known as the Pensions Board) The main functions of the Authority are: To monitor and supervise the operation of the Pensions Act and pension developments generally; To issue guidelines on the duties and responsibilities of pension scheme trustees and Codes of Practice on specific aspects of their responsibility; To encourage the provision of appropriate training for trustees; To advise the Minister on standards for trustees; To investigate complaints concerning possible non-compliance with the pensions legislation and to resolve disputes that may arise in relation to some aspects of the legislation and; To advise the Minister for Social Protection on pensions matters generally | 47 | The operations of the Pensions Authority are financed by annual fees payable to it by occupational pension schemes and by providers of Personal Retirement Savings Accounts. | N/A | Pensions Board 1990 Pensions Authority 7 March 2014 | The Pensions Acts 1990 to 2014 |
| The Office of the Pensions Ombudsman | The Pensions Ombudsman investigates and decides complaints and disputes from individuals about their occupational pension schemes, Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) and Trust RACs. | 6 Established 2 Contracted | €1,005,000 | €1,080,000 | 28 April 2003 | The Pensions Acts 1990 to 2014 |
| The Citizens Information Board (CIB) | The CIB is the statutory body responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy services to citizens on a wide range of public and social services. | 73.4 whole time equivalents (wte’s) as at 31/8/2014 | €47.45 million | € 46 million | Commencement order of the Comhairle Act signed in March 2000. Comhairle was re-named the Citizens Information Board under the Citizens Information Act 2007. | The Citizens Information Acts 2000 to 2011 |
| Social Welfare Tribunal | The Social Welfare Tribunal is a statutory body set up to deal with cases where entitlement to Jobseekers Benefit or Allowance is refused due to an involvement in a trade dispute. | 5 Board members | €2,000 | €1,000 | 1982 | Chapter 5 of Part 10 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 |
No comments