asked the Minister for Social Welfare when he intends to set up a combat poverty programme.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment for the drawing up of an Anti-Poverty Plan within the context of national economic and social planning. The first step in the process is to disestablish the National Community Development Agency and to restore the National Social Services Board. Legislation to have this done is at present being prepared.

I also have proposals before the Government for the setting up of a Commission on Social Welfare and I hope to be in a position to establish the commission shortly. One of the first tasks that I will assign to the commission is to advise me on the general objectives and constitution of the proposed Combat Poverty Agency as I am anxious to ensure that the agency will be structured in the most effective way possible taking account of the experience of the former Combat Poverty Organisation.

Could the Minister tell us how much money has been allocated for the combat poverty programme and how much it is intended to spend this year?

The estimate is a sum of £1,270,000. That has been allocated for the anti-poverty programme and in addition a sum of £530,000 has been provided for grants to voluntary bodies in the social services area.

Do I understand from the Minister's reply that it is not intended to spend any of that money this year on the combat poverty programme and, if that is so, would he tell us why his Department would not allow the National Community Development agency to go ahead and do its work? It was set up last year with very good terms of reference and surely it should be allowed to carry out its functions this year having regard to the fact that, judging by the Minister's reply, there seems to be no chance of a combat poverty programme this year. Here recently indeed the Minister stated they were waiting on some EEC directives on combat poverty, I think next year, and we might not have combat poverty programmes for a year or two. In the meantime would he not allow the National Community Development Agency to function?

As the Deputy is aware, the Minister on coming into Government did indicate that he was doing away with the National Community Development Agency and introducing a combat poverty agency. This is ongoing. It is the policy of the Government and, as I indicated in my reply, a commission will be set up very shortly and its first task will be to set guidelines and objectives for the Combat Poverty Agency. There will be money expended on the Combat Poverty Agency this year.

Would the Minister answer the question he is asked as to when the programme will be set up? That is the question he was asked. Will it be set up this year and will money be spent on it this year? We are apparently waiting on some other commission now and they will decide whether or not there should be a combat poverty programme. I would like the Minister to answer the question as to when we can expect the programme to be implemented.

First of all, there will be a combat poverty programme.

This year?

This year.

And the moneys will be spent on it?

The moneys will be spent but I cannot say what moneys. I am not saying that all the moneys will be spent but moneys will be spent.

The Minister indicated that the commission he proposes to establish will indicate to him what form the Combat Poverty Agency will take. When does he expect the commission will report?

First of all, I should probably have taken questions Nos. 4 and 5 together in view of the way the supplementaries have been asked. The commission will be set up in a matter of weeks and the first job they will be asked to do is to draw up proposals for structures for the Combat Poverty Agency. That will be done very quickly over the summer period.

Does the Minister intend to establish a statutory agency and will legislation be required in order to establish it?

Actually that has not been decided. Whether or not it should be statutory has not been decided but that does not prevent us from developing our structures. Even if it does require legislation that legislation can be introduced in the House early in the next session.

What exactly is the National Social Services Board and will there be a relationship between that board, the commission and the agency?

As the Deputy is aware, the National Social Services Board was there and that was merged into the National Community Agency. When we dismantle the existing proposals we will re-establish the board.

When?

Proposals for legislation are before the Government for dismantling and setting up the National Social Services Board.

What is the relationship between——

The Minister has answered the question. I am calling Question No. 5.