Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2012
215 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will list all appointments to State boards and agencies made by him since he came to power; the persons appointed; the boards and agencies to which they were appointed; the remuneration details of each appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7820/12]
View answerThe information requested is included for the Deputy's information. It should be noted that Board appointments, while made by me, as Minister, are not in all cases made at my sole discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute of the body concerned.
The Deputy may also wish to note that my Department has recently corresponded with survivors groups seeking nominations for the new Board of the Education Finance Board (EFB). This Board will effectively be a caretaker board which will serve for a number of months pending the establishment of the Statutory Fund. It is envisaged that the new Fund will assume the functions of the Board and the Board will be dissolved when the fund is set up.
Last December, in accordance with Government policy, expressions of interest were sought from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for appointment to the following boards of Bodies operating under (or will operate under) my Department's aegis:
Leárgas Ltd — The Exchange Bureau
The Higher Education Authority
The Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (to be newly established) Interested applicants were advised to register an Expression of Interest through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) with a closing date for receipt of applications of 10th January 2012. No appointments have been made to date.
Last week expressions of interest were sought from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for appointment to the following boards:
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)
The State Examinations Commission (SEC)
The Teaching Council Note: In respect of the SEC no fees will be applicable to the new Commission.
Vacancies on other Boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that arise during 2012 will continue to be advertised on my Department's website. The Deputy should note that in making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills and competencies for the positions.
|
Agency Name |
Number Appointments /re-appointments |
Names |
Remuneration Fees p.a. (other than standard expenses) |
Notes |
|
Foras Áiseanna Saothair |
1 appointment |
Mr. Michael Moriarty |
€11,790 |
Mr. Moriarty, who is General Secretary of the IVEA, was appointed in July 2011 because of his expertise in the area of Vocational Education which will be particularly useful in the context of the future integration of the FÁS training division and the VECs and the creation of SOLAS, the new further education and training authority. |
|
Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) |
11 re-appointments (See Note 1) |
Mr. Donal O’Rourke, Dr. Padraig Walsh, Ms Margaret O’Connell, Mr. Rory O’Sullivan, Mr. Joseph O’Leary, Ms Deirdre Keyes, Ms Bridie Daly, Ms Margaret Mernagh, Mr. John Mulcahy, Mr. Tony Petit, Ms Shira Mehiman |
Not applicable |
As FETAC’s term of office expired in December 2011, and to meet with statutory obligations, eligible members of the outgoing Board were re-appointed to the Board until such time as the new QQAAI is established. All 11 re-appointedon 21st December 2011. |
|
Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) |
2 appointments8 re-appointments (See Note 1) |
Dr. Maria Hinfelaar (1st appointed 9/6/2011), Mr. Aengus Ó Maoláin (1st appointed 1/7/2011), Prof. Séamus Smyth, Dr. Finola Doyle-O’Neill, Dr. Marion Palmer, Dr. Íde Ní Fhaoláin, Ms Mary Mc Glynn, Dr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan |
Not applicable |
As HETAC’s term of office expired in December 2011, and to meet with statutory obligations, eligible members of the outgoing Board were re-appointed to the Board until such time as the new QQAAI (see note 1) is established. All 8 re-appointed on 21st December 2011. |
|
Higher Education Authority |
1 re-appointment |
Mr Gary Redmond |
€7,695 |
Mr. Redmond was re-appointed in July 2011 by virtue of his re-appointment as President of the USI |
|
National Council for Curriculumand Assessment |
2 appointments |
Mr. Seán Ó Coinn, Professor Noirín Hayes |
Not applicable |
Mr. Ó Coinn nominated by Foras na Gaeilge and Professor Noirín Hayes nominated by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Both appointed on the 13th of December 2011. |
|
National Council for Special Education |
1 appointment |
Ms Maureen Costello |
Not applicable |
Director of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) appointed in September 2011. |
|
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland |
1 appointment5 re-appointments (See Note 1) |
Mr. Gary Redmond (1st appointed 24/6/2011), Prof. Anne Scott, Ms Marie Bourke, Mr. Eamon Devoy, Ms Audry Deane, Mr. Tony Donohue |
Not applicable |
All re-appointed on 31st March 2011 with exception of Mr Redmond. |
|
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB) |
11 re-appointments |
Dr. Fionnuala O’Loughlin, Dr. Helen Cummiskey, Dr. Harry Bugler, Dr. Mary Bluett, Dr. Ruth Pilkington, Dr. William Delaney, Mr. John Campbell, Ms Ann O’Brien, Ms Samantha Cruess Callaghan, Ms Dariona Conlon |
See Note 2 |
All re-appointed on 16th December 2011 |
|
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC) |
6 re-appointments |
The Hon. Mr. Justice Francis D. Murphy, Mr. John Dalton, Ms Ita Managan, Mr. Justice John Buckley, Mr. Brendan Gogarty, Mr. Colm Gaynor |
See Note 3 |
All re-appointed on 16th December 2011 |
|
Skillnets Ltd (See Note 1) |
1 |
Mr. Mícheál Ó Fiannachta |
Not Applicable |
A Departmental official appointed in June 2011. |
Note 1: The Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) are to merged to form a new body to be known as the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (QQAAI) in the coming months.
Note 2: The Chairperson of the RIRB is due to retire with effect from 15th February and will be paid an annual salary for a former President of the Circuit Court subject to abatement to take account of his pension. The other board members of the RIRB are paid a per diem rate and the per diem rate from 1st January 2011 is €668 per day.
Note 3: The Chairperson of the RIRC is paid an annual salary for a Supreme Court judge subject to abatement to take account of his pension. Since October 2011 the Chairperson has taken a 50% voluntary reduction in salary. The other board members of the RIRB are paid a per diem rate and pension abatement applies in the case of members receiving a pension from the State. The per diem rate from 1st January 2011 is €668 per day.
