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APPENDIX 6
TITHE AN OIREACHTAISGhnóthaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh(29ú Dáil)Joint Committee onSocial and Family Affairs(29th Dáil)WORK PROGRAMME 2007JOINT COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL AND FAMILY AFFAIRSWORK PROGRAMME 20071. BACKGROUNDThe Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs was established following Orders of Dáil Éireann on 16 October 2002 and of Seanad Éireann on 17 October 2002. Standing Orders 84(4) (Dáil Éireann) and 69(4) (Seanad Éireann) require that — “As soon as may be following its appointment and thereafter at annual intervals, each Select Committee shall prepare a work programme and shall lay such programme before Dáil (Seanad) Éireann” 2. ORDERS OF REFERENCEParagraph 2 (a) of the Order of Dáil Éireann on 16 October 2002 and paragraph 1 (a) of the Order of Seanad Éireann on 17 October 2002 empowers the Joint Committee to consider — “(i)such public affairs administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs as it may select, including, in respect of Government policy, bodies under the aegis of that Department; (vi)such matters of policy for which the Minister for Social and Family Affairs is officially responsible as it may select; (vii)such related policy issues as it may select concerning bodies which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by Members of the Government or by the Oireachtas; (viii)such Statutory Instruments made by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as it may select; (ix)such proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues as may be referred to it from time to time, in accordance with Standing Order 81(4)[Dáil Éireann] and 65(4)[Seanad Éireann]; (vi)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and the Joint Committee shall be so authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act; (vii) such annual reports or annual reports and accounts, required by law and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies specified in paragraphs 2(a)(i) and (iii) [Dáil Éireann] and paragraphs 1(a)(i) and (iii)[Seanad Éireann], and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select; Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993; Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body concerned or by the Minister forSocial and Family Affairs; and (viii)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas, and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.” Accordingly, the items listed in this Work Programme will be considered by the Joint Committee within the parameters defined by these Orders of Reference, as amended from time to time. 3. OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITYThe Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs is committed to making a constructive contribution to the committee system in the Houses of the Oireachtas and to continuing to assert the proper oversight and accountability role of the Legislature in respect of the Executive. It will endeavour to do this by properly exercising the functions and powers which have been conferred on it by both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. 4. FLUIDITY OF WORK PROGRAMMEThe items listed for consideration in this Work Programme are not in any order of priority. The Joint Committee will decide on individual items for review in light of its assessment of a particular need during the year. The Joint Committee is of the opinion that to accord a strict priority and agree a timetable for consideration of the various items would impose too rigid a structure and would not enable the Joint Committee to respond to evolving events during the year. In response to a particular evolving event or an urgent unforeseen matter, it shall, if it deems it necessary to do so, amend this Work Programme to include further items or delete or revise existing items for consideration. The Joint Committee has also agreed that, should it not have sufficient time during 2007 to consider an item detailed in this Work Programme, it may include it in next year’s Work Programme should the issue continue to retain its importance and relevance. 5. JOINT COMMITTEE — GENERAL AREAS FOR CONSIDERATION(a) EU ScrutinyIn light of the increasing importance and influence of the European Union (EU) on national affairs and legislative matters, the Joint Committee will give ongoing priority to EU issues and, in particular, will promptly examine any EU legislative proposal referred to the Joint Committee by the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny. The Joint Committee will endeavour to have ongoing meetings with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs in advance of EU Social and Family Affairs Council meetings to enable the Joint Committee to enhance effective oversight of Government policy thinking and to have an input into, and an exchange of views on, topics arising on the agendas of those Council meetings. (b) Statutory InstrumentsThe Joint Committee will endeavour to monitor Statutory Instruments (SIs) made by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs which are laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and, where it considers it necessary, will discuss particular SI’s and matters arising with the Minister at an appropriate time. (c) Strategy Statement and Departmental Policy DocumentationThe Joint Committee will endeavour to consider the ongoing progress made by the Department of Social and Family Affairs on its commitments in the strategy statement and other general related policy documentation (vis. Annual Reports, Corporate Plans, etc.) relating to the Department’s remit in discussion with the Minister or appropriate Departmental officials. (d) Oversight of bodiesThe Joint Committee will endeavour during 2007 to consider, inter alia, policy matters, annual reports or annual reports and accounts, overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of certain bodies as it may select which are listed in the Addendum attached to this Work Programme. (e) Referral of matters by Dáil Éireann and Seanad ÉireannIn addition to those issues detailed in this Work Programme, the Joint Committee may be required, from time to time, to consider matters referred to it jointly by Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann (e.g. Motions re. International Agreements, Conventions, draft SI’s, etc.). 6. JOINT COMMITTEE — SPECIFIC ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATIONThe Joint Committee intends to review specific major areas of policy falling within the remit of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs as outlined below in this section and in section 5 above. As part of that process, the Minister (and Departmental officials) may be invited to appear before the Joint Committee to outline policy decisions/thinking and respond to detailed questions. Where necessary, the Joint Committee may also seek submissions from the public and may, if the need arises, engage persons with specialist or technical knowledge to advise and assist it in its work. The Joint Committee will have ongoing periodic follow-up with the Minister (or Departmental officials as appropriate) on progress made on implementation of recommendations made in Reports published by the Joint Committee during the 29th Dáil. It is also intended that the following specific items will be considered during 2007 by the Joint Committee:- 1. National Rural Development PlanThe Joint Committee will hear a Submission from the European Anti-Poverty network on the National Rural Development Plan 2. Pension ProvisionThe Committee intends to build on work already done in this area in 2005 and 2006 and may consider producing a report suggesting changes to current legislation in this area. The Joint Committee also intends to examine the proposed Green Paper on Pensions due to be published by the Department of Social and Family Affairs in March 2007. The Joint Committee may also consider the Report of the Pensions Board “Special Savings for Retirement 3. Social Policy aspects of the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007 — 2013The NDP contains a €49.6 billion euro package of measures in relation to Social Inclusion covering topics coming within the remit of the Social and Family Affairs committee including measures to reduce the numbers of people on long term social welfare and community care services for older people. 4. National Action Plan on Social inclusionThe Joint Committee invite speakers from other member states and from national interested parties to discuss the Action plan and to provide comparison with other systems. 5. Social policy in the European UnionIn addition to ongoing work in scrutinising and reporting on legislative proposals referred by the Sub-Committee on European Scrutiny the Joint Committee may examine major trends emerging in European Social Policy such as; The future of the European Social Model, The EU Commission’s Strategic Initiative: “Social reality stocktaking” where the Commission intends to take stock of the social situation in the Union, with a particular emphasis on questions of access and opportunity. [An interim report is due to be published in February 2007], In this context the Joint Committee may consider inviting speakers representing the European Commission or other parties to discuss these topics. 6. Care for Older People7. CarersThe Joint Committee may examine this matter further and specifically may consider the current situation and follow up on the recommendations made in the Joint Committee’s report on this topic published in November 2003. 8. Poverty PreventionUnder this heading the Joint Committee may consider discussing the following topics; The connection between Poverty and access to employment, The work of MABS; the Money Advice and Budgeting Service in the context of recent statistics that over 70% of MABS clients live on Social Welfare, Lone parents, Child Poverty: The Joint Committee will hear a Presentation from Barnardos and other interested parties on ending Child Poverty, NAPS: National Anti-Poverty Strategy, Office for Social Inclusion. 9. Homelessness10. Disability issues (intellectual and physical)Sectoral Plan 2000-2009 Under the Disability Act, 2005 of the Department of Social and Family Affairs. 11. Community Welfare OfficersAs a follow up to meetings of the Joint Committee in November 2003 and June 2006 the Joint Committee may consider discussing the operation of the Service under new arrangements. 12. Social Welfare Payments/Benefit SchemesThe Administration of benefit schemes and payments such as the Qualified Adult Payment and Supplementary Welfare Allowances. Review of social welfare systems in other EU countries. 7. TRAVELSubject to Standing Order 81(9) [Dáil Éireann] and Standing Order 65(9) [Seanad Éireann], the Joint Committee may decide, subject to financial, administrative and procedural constraints, to undertake travel as it considers necessary to further progress the Work Programme. Such travel may include fact finding visits, attendance at conferences or meetings, etc. within the remit under the Orders of Reference. Reports will be completed for all travel undertaken. 8. INCOMING PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONSThe Joint Committee will meet with incoming Parliamentary Delegations, as required. 9. DAIL SELECT COMMITTEE — ORDERS OF REFERENCEThose members of Dáil Éireann who are members of the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs also constitute the membership of the Select Committee on Social and Family Affairs. In accordance with paragraph 1(a) of the Order of Dáil Éireann, the Select Committee is appointed to consider — “(i)such Bills the statute law in respect of which is dealt with by the Department of Social and Family Affairs; (ii)such Estimates for Public Services within the aegis of the Department of Social and Family Affairs ; and (iii)such proposals contained in any motion, including any motion within the meaning of Standing Order 157 concerning the approval by the Dáil of international agreements involving a charge on public funds, as shall be referred to it by Dáil Éireann from time to time.” The matters referred to the Select Committee will be considered in tandem with the ongoing work of the Joint Committee but may have a practical effect on the capacity of the Joint Committee to complete its consideration of the items identified in the Work Programme. 10. NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGSTaking account of the resources and facilities available and the commitments of members, it is anticipated that the Joint Committee will meet fortnightly in the course of 2007. In view of the specific functions of the Select Committee, it is not possible to anticipate the number of meetings required during 2007. However, the Select Committee will convene as necessary to consider such matters as are referred to it (see above) within the prescribed timeframe. 11. AGREEMENT OF WORK PROGRAMMEThis Work Programme for 2007 of the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs and the Select Committee on Social and Family Affairs was agreed by the Committee at its meeting on 13 February 2007. In accordance with Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, it was agreed that the Work Programme be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. ______________________________ William Penrose, T.D. Chairman 21 March 2007 ADDENDUM TO WORK PROGRAMME 2007Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Social and Family AffairsCombat Poverty Agency The Pensions Board The Citizens Information Board The Family Support Agency The Pensions Ombudsman |
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