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Uimhir 20 de 1982
AN tACHT UM AN nGNÍOMHAIREACHT NÁISIÚNTA FORBARTHA POBAIL, 1982
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “an Ghníomhaireacht” an Ghníomhaireacht Náisiúnta Forbartha Pobail a bhunaítear le halt 3 den Acht seo;
tá le “an Príomh-Oifigeach” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 10 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Sláinte, ach amháin mar a n-éilíonn an comhthéacs a mhalairt;
ciallaíonn “comhlacht reachtúil”—
(i) bord sláinte arna bhunú faoin Acht Sláinte, 1970,
(ii) údarás áitiúil chun críocha an Achta Rialtais Áitiúil, 1941,
(iii) bord nó comhlacht eile arna bhunú le reacht nó faoi reacht.
(2) Tagairt san Acht seo do chomhlíonadh feidhmeanna folaíonn sí, maidir le cumhachtaí, tagairt d'fheidhmiú na gcumhachtaí sin.
An lá bunaithe.
2.—Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, lá a cheapadh chun bheith ina lá bunaithe chun críocha an Achta seo.
Bunú na Gníomhaireachta.
3.—(1) Déanfar, de bhua an ailt seo, comhlacht dá ngairfear an Ghníomhaireacht Náisiúnta Forbartha Pobail a bhunú an lá bunaithe chun na feidhmeanna a shanntar dó leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Beidh an Ghníomhaireacht ina comhlacht corpraithe agus comharbas suthain aici agus beidh cumhacht agartha aici agus beidh sí inagartha faoina hainm corpraithe agus beidh cumhacht aici, le ceadú roimh ré ón Aire, talamh a fháil, a theachtadh agus a dhiúscairt agus (leis an gceadú sin arna thabhairt le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais) airgead a fháil ar iasacht.
Feidhmeanna na Gníomhaireachta.
4.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna na Gníomhaireachta—
(a) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire agus moltaí a dhéanamh dó maidir le beartais fhorbartha pobail agus cláir fhorbartha pobail, i ndáil le féinchúnamh, bochtaineacht agus seirbhísí sóisialacha agus, le ceadú an Aire, cláir den sórt sin a ghabháil de láimh ar bhonn trialach i gcomhar, de réir mar is iomchuí, le comhlachtaí reachtúla agus gníomhaireachtaí saorálacha agus na cláir sin a mheas;
(b) cláir i ndáil le féinchúnamh, bochtaineacht agus dealús sóisialach a spreagadh agus a chomhordú, d'fhonn gníomh níos éifeachtaí ó chomhlachtaí reachtúla agus ó ghníomhaireachtaí saorálacha a bhaint amach;
(c) pobail ina bhfuil mórchuid bochtaineachta agus dealúis shóisialaigh a fhionnadh agus a shonrú;
(d) tionscadail maidir le páirteachas agus gníomhaíocht pobail a chothú agus a fhóirithint lena n-áirítear cúnamh airgeadais nó ábhartha a thabhairt, agus tiomsú ar mheithil féinchúnaimh a éascú go háirithe i bpobail ina bhfuil mórchuid bochtaineachta agus dealúis shóisialaigh;
(e) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire faoi na gnéithe sóisialacha de phleanáil eacnamaíoch agus sóisialach.
(f) comhairle a thabhairt don Aire faoi fhorbairt seirbhísí pobal-bhunaithe, lena n-áirítear go háirithe oiliúint níos fearr agus foireann forbartha pobail a chur ar fáil;
(g) leas a bhaint as taighde, agus meas a thabhairt ar thaighde, arna dhéanamh ag comhlachtaí oideachais den tríú leibhéal agus ag comhlachtaí eile maidir le féinchúnamh, bochtaineacht agus dealús sóisialach agus taighde den sórt sin ar thionscadail shonracha a spreagadh agus, le ceadú an Aire, an taighde sin a dhéanamh, ó am go ham;
(h) eolas, rochtain agus comheagrú níos fearr ar sheirbhísí sóisialacha a spreagadh;
(i) faisnéis faoi fhorbairt phobail, féinchúnamh, bochtaineacht agus dealús sóisialach a bhailiú agus a scaipeadh;
(j) níos mó tuisceana a spreagadh i measc an phobail i dtaobh cineál agus méid na bochtaineachta agus an dealúis shóisialaigh, na cúiseanna atá leo agus na bearta is gá chun iad a mhaolú;
(k) cibé tascanna a dhéanamh agus cibé tuarascálacha a thabhairt a ordóidh an tAire ó am go ham.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire, le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, feidhmeanna na Gníomhaireachta a leasú le rialacháin.
(3) Déanfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht, ag comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna di, de réir cibé ordacháin a thabharfaidh an tAire di ó am go ham.
(4) Féadfaidh comhlacht reachtúil, agus, má ordaíonn an tAire ar a bhfuil freagracht reachtúil ina leith amhlaidh, beidh air, comhoibriú leis an nGníomhaireacht i gcomhlíonadh a feidhmeanna.
Comhaltaí na Gníomhaireachta.
5.—(1) Déanfaidh an tAire, a luaithe is féidir tar éis an lae bhunaithe, 12 dhuine ar a laghad agus 15 dhuine ar a mhéid a cheapadh le bheith ina gcomhaltaí den Ghníomhaireacht.
(2) Ceapfar comhalta den Ghníomhaireacht ar feadh cibé téarma, nach faide ná trí bliana, a chinnfidh an tAire nuair a bheidh sé á cheapadh aige.
(3) Déanfaidh an tAire dhá chomhalta den Ghníomhaireacht a cheapadh, duine acu chun bheith ina chathaoirleach agus an duine eile chun bheith ina leas-chathaoirleach, faoi seach, ar an nGníomhaireacht.
(4) Má scoireann cathaoirleach nó leas-chathaoirleach ar an nGníomhaireacht de bheith ina chomhalta den Ghníomhaireacht scoirfidh sé air sin de bheith ina chathaoirleach nó ina leas-chathaoirleach ar an nGníomhaireacht.
(5) Féadfaidh an tAire tráth ar bith comhalta den Ghníomhaireacht a chur as oifig mar chathaoirleach nó mar leas-chathaoirleach ar an nGníomhaireacht.
(6) Scoirfidh comhalta den Ghníomhaireacht de bheith ina chomhalta den Ghníomhaireacht ar an Aire dá iarraidh air i scríbhinn éirí as.
(7) Féadfaidh aon chomhalta den Ghníomhaireacht (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach agus an leas-chathaoirleach) éirí as mar chomhalta tráth ar bith trí litir a bheidh dírithe chun an Aire, agus beidh éifeacht leis an éirí-as, mura dtarraingeofar siar roimhe sin é i scríbhinn, nuair a thosóidh an chéad chruinniú den Ghníomhaireacht a thionólfar tar éis don Aire an litir a fháil.
(8) Beidh comhalta den Ghníomhaireacht (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach agus an leas-chathaoirleach) a rachaidh a théarma oifige in éag seachas faoi fho-alt (6) den alt seo inathcheaptha.
(9) Ní chuirfidh aon fholúntas nó folúntais i measc comhaltaí na Gníomhaireachta ná aon locht ar cheapachán aon chomhalta den Ghníomhaireacht imeachtaí na Gníomhaireachta ó bhail.
(10) Féadfaidh an tAire le rialacháin fo-alt (1) den alt seo a athrú.
Cruinnithe, nós imeachta, etc. na Gníomhaireachta.
6.—(1) Tionólfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht cibé cruinnithe agus cibé méid cruinnithe is gá chun a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh, ach ní lú ná sé chruinniú gach bliain a líon.
(2) Socróidh an tAire dáta, am agus ionad do chéad-chruinniú na Gníomhaireachta.
(3) Is de réir scéime a bheidh ceadaithe ag an Aire a bheidh na nósanna imeachta i ndáil le cruinnithe a thionól.
(4) Féadfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht coistí a cheapadh (a bhféadfaidh daoine nach comhaltaí den Ghníomhaireacht a bheith ar áireamh orthu) d'fhonn comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna a éascú, agus déanfaidh aon choiste den sórt sin de réir aon ordacháin a thabharfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht dó.
(5) Ní bhfaighidh duine aon luach saothair as ucht gníomhú mar chomhalta den Ghníomhaireacht nó mar chomhalta de choiste a cheapfar faoi fho-alt (4) den alt seo, ach féadfar cibé liúntais taistil agus chothaithe a cheadóidh an tAire le comhaontú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí a íoc leis.
(6) Faoi réir an Achta seo, rialálfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht a nós imeachta agus a gnó.
Deontais don Ghníomhaireacht, etc.
7.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, faoi réir cibé coinníollacha is cuí leis, deontas nó deontais ina mbeidh cibé méid nó méideanna a shocróidh an tAire, le ceadú roimh ré ón Aire Airgeadais agus tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an nGníomhaireacht, a íoc leis an nGníomhaireacht gach bliain as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
(2) Is é a bheidh i mbliain airgeadais na Gníomhaireachta an tréimhse dhá mhí dhéag dar críoch an 31ú lá de Nollaig aon bhliain, agus measfar gur bliain airgeadais an tréimhse ó dháta thosach feidhme an Achta seo go dtí an 31ú lá de Nollaig, 1982.
(3) Déanfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht, i ndáil le gach bliain airgeadais, meastachán ar a caiteachais agus ar a fáltais go léir a ullmhú agus a chur chuig an Aire (tráth nach déanaí ná dáta a bheidh sonraithe ag an Aire) agus is i cibé foirm a cheanglóidh an tAire a bheidh na meastacháin sin.
Cuntais agus iniúchadh.
8.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht, i cibé foirm a cheadóidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, na cuntais go léir is cuí agus is gnách ar an airgead go léir a gheobhaidh an Ghníomhaireacht nó a chaithfidh sí, lena n-áirítear, go háirithe, na cuntais speisialta sin go léir a ordóidh an tAire ó am go ham.
(2) Déanfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo a chur gach bliain (tráth nach déanaí ná dáta a bheidh sonraithe ag an Aire) faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste lena n-iniúchadh agus, díreach tar éis an iniúchta, déanfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht cóip de na cuntais (agus d'aon chuntais a choimeádfar de bhun ordacháin ón Aire), mar aon le tuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste ar na cuntais, a chur chuig an Aire.
(3) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna de na cuntais a thabharfar ar aird dó faoin alt seo, mar aon le cóipeanna de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste ar na cuntais sin, a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(4) Aon uair a iarrfaidh an tAire uirthi é, ceadóidh an Ghníomhaireacht d'aon duine a bheidh ceaptha aige leabhair agus cuntais na Gníomhaireachta i leith tréimhse ar bith a scrúdú agus éascóidh sí aon scrúdú den sórt sin.
Tuarascáil bhliantúil, etc.
9.—(1) Tabharfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht don Aire tráth nach déanaí ná sé mhí tar éis deireadh a bliana airgeadais, tuarascáil ar a himeachtaí i gcaitheamh na bliana airgeadais sin agus cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna den tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(2) Tabharfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht don Aire cibé faisnéis a iarrfaidh sé ó am go ham i ndáil le tuarascáil faoin alt seo nó i ndáil lena gníomhaíochtaí (seachas riarachán ó lá go lá).
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire ó am go ham a cheangal ar an nGníomhaireacht sonraí ar a pleananna i dtaobh comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna sa todhchaí a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire, agus beidh ar an nGníomhaireacht déanamh de réir aon cheanglais ón Aire faoin bhfo-alt seo.
Príomh-Oifigeach na Gníomhaireachta.
10.—(1) Ceapfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht duine ar a dtabharfar Príomh-Oifigeach na Gníomhaireachta agus is dá réir sin a ghníomhóidh sé agus “an Príomh-Oifigeach” a ghairtear de san Acht seo.
(2) Sealbhóidh an Príomh-Oifigeach a oifig ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha, agus feidhmeoidh sé cibé dualgais, a chinnfidh an Ghníomhaireacht ó am go ham, faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le toiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(3) Íocfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht leis an bPríomh-Oifigeach cibé luach saothair agus liúntais a chinnfidh an tAire ó am go ham le toiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
Fostaithe na Gníomhaireachta.
11.—(1) I dteannta an Phríomh-Oifigigh, féadfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht cibé daoine agus cibé líon daoine a cheapadh chun bheith ina bhfostaithe den Ghníomhaireacht (faoi réir cheadú an Aire, arna thabhairt le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais, maidir le líon agus cineál na bhfostaithe sin) a chinnfidh an Ghníomhaireacht ó am go ham, agus nuair a bheidh aon duine den sórt sin á cheapadh aici déanfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht de réir aon ordachán a thabharfaidh an tAire (leis an toiliú sin) i ndáil leis an nós imeachta a bheidh le leanúint.
(2) Gach fostaí den Ghníomhaireacht a shealbhóidh oifig go buan scoirfidh sé de bheith ag sealbhú oifige ar 65 bliana d'aois a shlánú.
(3) Sealbhóidh fostaithe na Gníomhaireachta a bhfostaíocht ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Ghníomhaireacht ó am go ham, faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le toiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(4) Déanfaidh an Príomh-Oifigeach cibé dualgais a mheasfaidh sé is iomchuí a shannadh ó am go ham do gach fostaí agus comhlíonfaidh gach fostaí acu sin na dualgais a sannadh amhlaidh.
(5) Íocfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht lena fostaithe, as airgead a bheidh faoina réir, cibé luach saothair agus liúntais i leith caiteachas a chinnfidh an Ghníomhaireacht, faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le toiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(6) Nuair a bheidh cinneadh faoi fho-alt (3) nó (5) den alt seo á dhéanamh, gníomhóidh an Ghníomhaireacht de réir ordacháin an Aire agus beidh aird aici ar aon chomhshocraíochtaí comhréitigh agus eadrána a bheidh i ngníomh do dhaoine dá ndéanfaidh an cinneadh difear.
Aoisliúntas.
12.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis an lae bhunaithe, ullmhóidh an Ghníomhaireacht, nó cuirfidh sí faoi deara go n-ullmhófar, scéim chun pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais eile a dheonú d'fhostaithe na Gníomhaireachta nó ina leith ar iad do scor nó ar iad d'fháil bháis.
(2) Beidh scéim faoin alt seo faoi réir cheadú an Aire, le toiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, agus féadfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht í a leasú leis an gceadú sin agus leis an toiliú sin.
(3) Ní dheonóidh an Ghníomhaireacht pinsean, aisce nó liúntas eile ar fhostaí den Ghníomhaireacht d'éirí as, do scor nó d'fháil bháis ach amháin de réir scéime a bheidh ceadaithe faoin alt seo.
Comhaltas de Thithe an Oireachtais nó de Thionól na gComhphobal Eorpach.
13.—(1) I gcás ina ndéanfar comhalta den Ghníomhaireacht a ainmniú mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann nó mar iarrthóir lena thoghadh chun ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas nó chun Tionól na gComhphobal Eorpach nó ina gceapfar é chun an Tionóil sin, scoirfidh sé air sin de bheith ina chomhalta den Ghníomhaireacht.
(2) I gcás ina ndéanfar duine atá fostaithe ag an nGníomhaireacht a ainmniú mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann nó mar iarrthóir lena thoghadh chun ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas nó chun Tionól na gComhphobal Eorpach nó ina gceapfar é chun an Tionóil sin, beidh sé ar iasacht ó fhostaíocht na Gníomhaireachta agus ní íocfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht leis, ná ní bheidh sé i dteideal go bhfaighidh sé ón nGníomhaireacht, aon luach saothair ná liúntais—
(a) i gcás ina ndéanfar é a ainmniú mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann nó ina gceapfar é chun an Tionóil sin, in aghaidh na tréimhse dar tosach tráth a ainmnithe nó a cheaptha (de réir mar a bheidh) agus dar críoch an tráth a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann nó den Tionól sin,
(b) i gcás ina ndéanfar é a ainmniú mar iarrthóir lena thoghadh chun ceachtar Tí acu sin, nó chun an Tionóil sin, in aghaidh na tréimhse dar tosach tráth a ainmnithe agus dar críoch an tráth a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta den Teach sin nó den Tionól sin (de réir mar a bheidh) nó a chinnfidh toghchán air nó a tharraingeoidh sé siar ó bheith ina iarrthóir, de réir mar is iomchuí.
(3) Duine a bheidh de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin nó is comhalta de Thionól na gComhphobal Eorpach beidh sé, fad a bheidh sé i dteideal amhlaidh, nó ina chomhalta amhlaidh, dícháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta den Ghníomhaireacht nó chun bheith fostaithe in aon cháil ag an nGníomhaireacht.
(4) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (2) den alt seo, forléireofar an fo-alt sin mar fho-alt a thoirmiscfidh tréimhse a luaitear i mír (a) nó (b) den fho-alt sin a ríomh mar sheirbhís leis an nGníomhaireacht le haghaidh aon sochair aoisliúntais.
Sainchomhairleoirí agus comhairleoirí.
14.—Faoi réir cheadú roimh ré ón Aire, féadfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht ó am go ham cibé sainchomhairleoirí nó comhairleoirí a fhostú a mheasfaidh sí is gá chun a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh, agus íocfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht as airgead a bheidh faoina réir aici aon táillí a bheidh dlite do shainchomhairleoir nó do chomhlairleoir a fostaíodh faoin alt seo.
Tabhartais.
15.—(1) Faoi réir thoiliú an Aire, féadfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht bronntanais airgid, talún agus maoine eile a ghlacadh ar cibé iontaobhais agus coinníollacha (más ann) a shonróidh an deontóir.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht bronntanas má bhíonn na coinníollacha a bheidh curtha ag gabháil leis ag an deontóir ar neamhréir le feidhmeanna na Gníomhaireachta.
(3) Ní shirfidh an Ghníomhaireacht bronntanais nó tabhartais.
Séala na Gníomhaireachta.
16.—(1) Soláthróidh an Ghníomhaireacht séala di féin a luaithe is féidir tar éis an lae bhunaithe.
(2) Fíordheimhneofar séala na Gníomhaireachta le síniú chathaoirleach na Gníomhaireachta nó chomhalta éigin eile den Ghníomhaireacht a bheidh údaraithe ag an nGníomhaireacht gníomhú chuige sin, mar aon le síniú fostaí den Ghníomhaireacht a bheidh údaraithe ag an nGníomhaireacht gníomhú chuige sin.
(3) Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala na Gníomhaireachta, agus, gach doiciméad a airbheartóidh gur ionstraim é a rinne an Ghníomhaireacht agus a bheith séalaithe le séala (a airbheartóidh a bheith fíordheimhnithe de réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo) na Gníomhaireachta, glacfar i bhfianaise é agus measfar gurb é an ionstraim sin é gan chruthúnas, mura suífear a mhalairt.
Faisneis a nochtadh.
17.—(1) Ní nochtfaidh aon duine, gan toiliú na Gníomhaireachta, aon fhaisneis a fuair sé agus é ag comhlíonadh dualgas mar chomhalta nó mar fhostaí den Ghníomhaireacht nó mar shainchomhairleoir nó mar chomhairleoir don Ghníomhaireacht.
(2) Beidh duine a sháróidh fo-alt (1) den alt seo ciontach i gcion agus ar é a chiontú go hachomair dlífear fíneáil nach mó ná £500 a chur air.
(3) Ní choiscfidh aon ní i bhfo-alt (1) den alt seo—
(a) faisnéis a nochtadh i dtuarascáil a thabharfar don Ghníomhaireacht nó (thar ceann na Gníomhaireachta) don Aire,
(b) comhalta nó fostaí den Ghníomhaireacht do nochtadh faisnéise chun críocha scéime taighde nó forbartha.
An Bord Náisiúnta Seirbhíse Sóisialaí.
18.—Ar an lá bunaithe—
(a) aon duine atá i bhfostaíocht ag an gcomhlacht dá ngairtear an Bord Náisiúnta Seirbhíse Sóisialaí tiocfaidh sé chun bheith ina fhostaí den Ghníomhaireacht;
(b) déanfar an mhaoin go léir atá dílsithe don chomhlacht dá ngairtear an Bord Náisiúnta Seirbhíse Sóisialaí, dá cuid féin aici nó ar teachtadh ar iontaobhas di, a aistriú chuig an nGníomhaireacht;
(c) déanfar gach fiach agus dliteanas eile de chuid an chomhlachta dá ngairtear an Bord Náisiúnta Seirbhíse Sóisialaí a aistriú chuig an nGníomhaireacht;
(d) gach banna, ráthaíocht, conradh agus comhaontú ina ndeachaigh nó a thug an comhlacht dá ngairtear an Bord Náisiúnta Seirbhíse Sóisialaí leanfaidh sé i bhfeidhm agus beidh sé infheidhme ag an nGníomhaireacht nó ina haghaidh;
(e) i ngach caingean, agra, ionchúiseamh nó imeacht eile atá ar feitheamh agus ar páirtí ann an comhlacht dá ngairtear an Bord Náisiúnta Seirbhíse Sóisialaí, glacfaidh an Ghníomhaireacht ionad an Bhoird sin.
Rialacháin.
19.—Gach rialachán a dhéanfaidh an tAire faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach acu sin, laistigh den 21 lá a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin, beidh an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán.
Díolúine ó dhleacht stampa.
20.—Ní bheidh dleacht stampa inmhuirearaithe ar aon tíolacas, aistriú nó ionstraim eile a fhorghníomhófar chun maoin nó aon leas i maoin a dhílsiú don Ghníomhaireacht.
Caiteachais.
21.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Gearrtheideal.
22.—Féadfar an tAcht um an nGníomhaireacht Náisiúnta Forbartha Pobail, 1982, a ghairm den Acht seo.
Na hAchtanna dá dTagraítear | |
Number 20 of 1982
NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ACT, 1982
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Membership of Houses of Oireachtas or Assembly of European Communities. | |
Acts Referred to | |
1970, No. 1 | |
1941, No. 23 | |
Number 20 of 1982
NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ACT, 1982
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
“the Agency” means the National Community Development Agency established by section 3 of this Act;
“the Chief Officer” has the meaning assigned to it by section 10 of this Act;
“the Minister”, except where the context otherwise requires, means the Minister for Health;
“statutory body” means—
(i) a health board established under the Health Act, 1970,
(ii) a local authority for the purposes of the Local Government Act, 1941,
(iii) a board or other body established by or under statute.
(2) A reference in this Act to performance of functions includes, in relation to powers, a reference to exercise of those powers.
Establishment day.
2.—The Minister may by order appoint a day to be the establishment day for the purposes of this Act.
Establishment of Agency.
3.—(1) There shall by virtue of this section be established on the establishment day a body to be known as the National Community Development Agency to perform the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(2) The Agency shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and, with the prior approval of the Minister, to acquire, hold and dispose of land, and (with such approval given with the consent of the Minister for Finance) to borrow money.
Functions of Agency.
4.—(1) The functions of the Agency shall be—
(a) to advise the Minister and make recommendations to him regarding community development policies and community development programmes, in relation to self-help, poverty and social services and, with the approval of the Minister, to undertake such programmes on an experimental basis in co-operation, where appropriate, with statutory bodies and voluntary agencies and to evaluate such programmes;
(b) to promote and co-ordinate programmes in relation to self-help, poverty and social deprivation, with the object of achieving more effective action by statutory bodies and voluntary agencies;
(c) to ascertain and specify communities in which there is a high degree of poverty and social deprivation;
(d) to foster and assist, including by financial or material aid, projects of community involvement and activity, and to facilitate the mobilisation of self-help particularly in communities in which there is a high degree of poverty and social deprivation;
(e) to advise the Minister on the social aspects of economic and social planning;
(f) to advise the Minister on the development of community-based services, including in particular improved training and the supply of community development staff;
(g) to draw on and evaluate research on self-help, poverty and social deprivation by third level educational and other bodies, and to promote, and, with the approval of the Minister, to engage in, such research from time to time on specific projects;
(h) to promote greater awareness, accessibility and co-ordination of social services;
(i) to collect and disseminate information on community development, self-help, poverty and social deprivation;
(j) to promote greater public understanding of the nature, causes and extent of poverty and social deprivation and the measures required to alleviate them;
(k) to perform such tasks and submit such reports as the Minister may from time to time direct.
(2) The Minister may by regulations amend the functions of the Agency with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(3) The Agency shall in the performance of its functions comply with such directions as may from time to time be given to it by the Minister.
(4) A statutory body may and, where the Minister having statutory responsibility for it so directs shall, co-operate with the Agency in the performance of its functions.
Members of Agency.
5.—(1) The Minister shall, as soon as may be after the establishment day, appoint not less than 12 and not more than 15 persons to be members of the Agency.
(2) A member of the Agency shall be appointed for such term not exceeding three years as the Minister may determine when appointing him.
(3) The Minister shall appoint two members of the Agency to be chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, of the Agency.
(4) Where the chairman or vice-chairman of the Agency ceases to be a member of the Agency he shall also thereupon cease to be such chairman or vice-chairman.
(5) The Minister may at any time remove a member of the Agency from the office of chairman or vice-chairman of the Agency.
(6) A member of the Agency shall cease to be a member of the Agency on his being requested in writing by the Minister to resign.
(7) Any member of the Agency (including the chairman and vice-chairman) may at any time resign his membership by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation shall, unless it is previously withdrawn in writing, take effect at the commencement of the meeting of the Agency held next after the receipt of the letter by the Minister.
(8) A member of the Agency (including the chairman and vice-chairman) whose term expires otherwise than under subsection (6) of this section shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(9) The proceedings of the Agency shall not be invalidated by any vacancy or vacancies amongst its members or by any defect in the appointment of any member of the Agency.
(10) The Minister may by regulations vary subsection (1) of this section.
Meetings, procedure, etc. of Agency.
6.—(1) The Agency shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the performance of its functions, but not less than six meetings in every year.
(2) The Minister shall fix the date, time and place of the first meeting of the Agency.
(3) The procedures in relation to the holding of meetings shall be in accordance with a scheme which shall have been approved by the Minister.
(4) The Agency may appoint committees (which may include persons who are not members of the Agency) to facilitate the performance of its functions, and any such committee shall comply with any direction given to it by the Agency.
(5) A person shall not receive any remuneration for acting as a member of the Agency or as a member of a committee appointed under subsection (4) of this section, but may be paid such travelling and subsistence allowances as are approved by the Minister with the agreement of the Minister for the Public Service.
(6) Subject to this Act, the Agency shall regulate its procedure and business.
Grants to Agency, etc.
7.—(1) The Minister may, subject to such conditions as he thinks proper, pay to the Agency in each year out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas a grant or grants of such amount or amounts as the Minister, with the prior approval of the Minister for Finance and after consultation with the Agency, may fix.
(2) The financial year of the Agency shall be the period of twelve months ending on the 31st day of December in any year, and the period from the commencement of this Act to the 31st day of December, 1982, shall be regarded as a financial year.
(3) The Agency shall, in relation to each financial year, prepare and send to the Minister (not later than a date specified by the Minister) an estimate of its total expenditure and receipts, and such estimates shall be in such form as the Minister may require.
Accounts and audits.
8.—(1) The Agency shall keep, in such form as may be approved of by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance, all proper and usual accounts of all moneys received or expended by it, including in particular all such special accounts as the Minister may from time to time direct.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted annually (not later than a date specified by the Minister) by the Agency to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit and, immediately after the audit, a copy of the accounts (and of any accounts kept pursuant to a direction of the Minister), together with the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the accounts, shall be sent by the Agency to the Minister.
(3) The Minister shall cause copies of accounts presented to him under this section, together with copies of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(4) The Agency shall, whenever so requested by the Minister, permit any person appointed by him to examine the books and accounts of the Agency in respect of any period and shall facilitate any such examination.
Annual report, etc.
9.—(1) The Agency shall, not later than six months after the end of its financial year, make a report to the Minister of its proceedings during that financial year and the Minister shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(2) The Agency shall supply the Minister with such information relating either to a report made under this section or to its activities (other than day-to-day administration) as he shall from time to time request.
(3) The Minister may from time to time require the Agency to prepare and submit to the Minister particulars of its plans regarding the performance of its functions in the future, and any requirement made by the Minister under this subsection shall be complied with by the Agency.
Chief Officer of Agency.
10.—(1) The Agency shall appoint a person who shall be called and shall act as the Chief Officer of the Agency and who is referred to in this Act as “the Chief Officer”.
(2) The Chief Officer shall hold office on such terms and conditions, and shall carry out such duties, as the Agency from time to time determines, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for the Public Service.
(3) The Agency shall pay to the Chief Officer such remuneration and allowances as the Minister from time to time determines with the consent of the Minister for the Public Service.
Employees of Agency.
11.—(1) In addition to the Chief Officer, the Agency may appoint such and so many persons to be employees of the Agency (subject to the approval of the Minister, given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, as to the number and kind of such employees) as the Agency from time to time determines, and in appointing any such person the Agency shall comply with any direction given by the Minister (with such consent) relating to the procedure to be followed.
(2) Every employee of the Agency holding office in a permanent capacity shall cease to hold office on attaining the age of 65 years.
(3) Employees of the Agency shall hold their employment on such terms and conditions as the Agency from time to time determines, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for the Public Service.
(4) The Chief Officer shall from time to time assign such duties as he considers appropriate to each employee and each such employee shall carry out the duties so assigned.
(5) The Agency shall pay to its employees out of moneys at its disposal such remuneration and allowances for expenses as the Agency determines, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for the Public Service.
(6) In making a determination under subsection (3) or (5) of this section the Agency shall act in accordance with the directions of the Minister and shall have regard to any arrangements in operation for conciliation and arbitration for persons affected by the determination.
Superannuation.
12.—(1) The Agency shall as soon as may be after the establishment day prepare or cause to be prepared a scheme for the granting of pensions, gratuities and other allowances on retirement or death to or in respect of the employees of the Agency.
(2) A scheme under this section shall be subject to the approval of the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for the Public Service, and may be amended by the Agency with the like approval and the like consent.
(3) A pension, gratuity or other allowance shall not be granted by the Agency on the resignation, retirement or death of an employee of the Agency otherwise than in accordance with a scheme approved under this section.
Membership of Houses of Oireachtas or Assembly of European Communities.
13.—(1) Where a member of the Agency is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann or as a candidate for election to either House of the Oireachtas or to the Assembly of the European Communities or is appointed to such Assembly, he shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Agency.
(2) Where a person who is employed by the Agency is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann or as a candidate for election to either House of the Oireachtas or to the Assembly of the European Communities or is appointed to such Assembly, he shall stand seconded from employment by the Agency and shall not be paid by, or be entitled to receive from, the Agency any remuneration or allowances—
(a) in case he is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann or is appointed to such Assembly in respect of the period commencing on such nomination or appointment (as the case may be) and ending when he ceases to be a member of Seanad Éireann or such Assembly,
(b) in case he is nominated as a candidate for election to either such House or to such Assembly, in respect of the period commencing on his nomination and ending when he ceases to be a member of that House or that Assembly (as the case may be) or fails to be elected or withdraws his candidature, as may be appropriate.
(3) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein or who is a member of the Assembly of the European Communities shall, while he is so entitled or is such a member, be disqualified from becoming a member of the Agency or from employment in any capacity by the Agency.
(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) of this section, that subsection shall be construed as prohibiting the reckoning of a period mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection as service with the Agency for the purpose of any superannuation benefit.
Consultants and advisers.
14.—Subject to the prior approval of the Minister, the Agency may from time to time engage such consultants or advisers as it may consider necessary for the performance of its functions, and any fees due to a consultant or adviser engaged under this section shall be paid by the Agency out of moneys at its disposal.
Donations.
15.—(1) Subject to the consent of the Minister, the Agency may accept gifts of money, land and other property, on such trusts and conditions (if any) as may be specified by the donor.
(2) The Agency shall not accept a gift if the conditions attached by the donor to its acceptance are not consistent with the functions of the Agency.
(3) The Agency shall not solicit gifts or donations.
Seal of Agency.
16.—(1) The Agency shall, as soon as may be after the establishment day, provide itself with a seal.
(2) The seal of the Agency shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairman of the Agency, or some other member of the Agency authorised by the Agency to act in that behalf, and by the signature of an employee of the Agency authorised by the Agency to act in that behalf.
(3) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Agency, and every document purporting to be an instrument made by the Agency and to be sealed with the seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with subsection (2) of this section) of the Agency shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without proof, unless the contrary is shown.
Disclosure of information.
17.—(1) A person shall not, without the consent of the Agency, disclose any information obtained by him while performing duties as a member or employee of, or a consultant or adviser to, the Agency.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £500.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall prevent—
(a) disclosure of information in a report made to the Agency or (on behalf of the Agency) to the Minister,
(b) disclosure of information by a member or employee of the Agency for the purpose of a scheme of research or development.
National Social Service Board.
18.—On the establishment day—
(a) any person who is in the employment of the body known as the National Social Service Board shall become an employee of the Agency;
(b) all property vested in, belonging to or held in trust for, the body known as the National Social Service Board shall be transferred to the Agency;
(c) every debt and other liability of the body known as the National Social Service Board shall be transferred to the Agency;
(d) every bond, guarantee, contract and agreement made or given by the body known as the National Social Service Board shall continue in force and shall be enforceable by or against the Agency;
(e) in every action, suit, prosecution or other proceeding which stands pending and to which the body known as the National Social Service Board is a party, the Agency shall take the place of that Board.
Regulations.
19.—Every regulation made by the Minister under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Exemption from stamp duty.
20.—Stamp duty shall not be chargeable on any conveyance, transfer or other instrument executed for the purposes of vesting property or any interest in property in the Agency.
Expenses.
21.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Short title.
22.—This Act may be cited as the National Community Development Agency Act, 1982.