Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs

Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs
Committee	Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs
Chamber	Seanad Éireann
Type	Standing committee
Formed	1997
Dissolved	2011
Jurisdiction	Ireland
Leadership	Mary O'Rourke, Mary Henry, Avril Doyle

Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs was a standing committee of the Seanad Éireann, the upper house of the Oireachtas, which is the National Parliament of Ireland. The committee was established in 1997, during the 20th Dáil, and was dissolved in 2011, following a review of committee structures by the Oireachtas. The committee's work focused on issues related to social welfare, family law, and children's rights, and it worked closely with the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and the Department of Justice and Equality. The committee's members included Mary O'Rourke, Mary Henry, and Avril Doyle, who all played important roles in shaping the committee's agenda and work.

Introduction

The Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs was established to examine and report on matters related to social policy, family support, and child welfare. The committee's work was informed by the Constitution of Ireland, which enshrines the rights of the family and the child. The committee also drew on international best practice, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Social Charter. The committee's members worked closely with stakeholders, including Barnardos, the Children's Rights Alliance, and the Irish Council for Social Housing, to ensure that its work was informed by the experiences and perspectives of those working on the ground. The committee's work was also influenced by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Coughlan.

Role and Remit

The Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs had a broad remit, which included examining and reporting on matters related to social welfare policy, family law reform, and child protection. The committee's role was to provide a forum for discussion and debate on these issues, and to make recommendations to the Oireachtas and the Government of Ireland. The committee's work was guided by the Programme for Government, which set out the Government of Ireland's priorities and objectives for the social welfare and family support sectors. The committee also worked closely with other Oireachtas committees, including the Dáil Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs and the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. The committee's members included Ivan Yates, Mary Hanafin, and Olwyn Enright, who all brought their expertise and experience to the committee's work.

Membership and Structure

The Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs was composed of members from across the Oireachtas, including the Seanad Éireann and the Dáil Éireann. The committee's membership included Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour Party (Ireland), and Sinn Féin representatives, as well as independent members. The committee was chaired by a member of the Seanad Éireann, who was appointed by the Cathaoirleach. The committee's work was supported by a secretariat, which was provided by the Oireachtas. The committee's members worked closely with stakeholders, including The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Irish Red Cross, and the National Women's Council of Ireland, to ensure that its work was informed by the experiences and perspectives of those working on the ground. The committee's work was also influenced by the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.

Current Work and Initiatives

During its existence, the Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs undertook a range of initiatives and inquiries, including examinations of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007 and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2008. The committee also conducted hearings on issues related to domestic violence, child poverty, and social exclusion. The committee's work was informed by the National Economic and Social Council and the National Competitiveness Council. The committee's members worked closely with stakeholders, including Age Action Ireland, the Irish Senior Citizens' Parliament, and the Disability Federation of Ireland, to ensure that its work was informed by the experiences and perspectives of those working on the ground. The committee's work was also influenced by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme.

Reports and Publications

The Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs published a range of reports and documents during its existence, including reports on the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007 and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2008. The committee's reports were informed by evidence and submissions from stakeholders, including Barnardos, the Children's Rights Alliance, and the Irish Council for Social Housing. The committee's reports were also influenced by international best practice, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the European Social Charter. The committee's members worked closely with stakeholders, including The Wheel (Ireland), the Irish Charities Regulatory Authority, and the Charities Institute Ireland, to ensure that its work was informed by the experiences and perspectives of those working on the ground. The committee's work was also influenced by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Legislative Impact

The Seanad Éireann Committee on Social and Family Affairs had a significant impact on legislation related to social welfare and family support. The committee's work informed the development of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007 and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2008. The committee's recommendations were also taken into account in the development of the National Strategy for Children and Young People's Participation in Decision-Making and the National Strategy for Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The committee's work was influenced by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Coughlan. The committee's members worked closely with stakeholders, including Age Action Ireland, the Irish Senior Citizens' Parliament, and the Disability Federation of Ireland, to ensure that its work was informed by the experiences and perspectives of those working on the ground. The committee's work was also influenced by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Development Programme.

Category:Oireachtas committees