Ministerial Appointments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Questions (446, 447, 448)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

446. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of all bodies, boards or committees under the remit of his Department to which ministerial appointments are made; the statutory provision providing for the making of such appointments in each case; the annual allowances or other payments made to the chairperson; the annual allowance or other payment made to an ordinary member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37498/13]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

447. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of the boards, bodies or committees under the remit of his Department where there is currently a vacancy to be filled by ministerial appointment; if so, if the vacancy relates to the chairperson or an ordinary member or members, specifying the number of vacancies in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37513/13]

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

448. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of the bodies, boards or committees under the remit of his Department where there is anticipated to be a vacancy within the next six months to be filled by ministerial appointment; if so, if the anticipated vacancy relates to the chairperson or an ordinary member or members, specifying the number of anticipated vacancies in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37528/13]

Written answers

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Brendan Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 446 to 448, inclusive, together.

In response to the Deputy’s questions I can confirm the following in respect of the Boards under the remit of my Department:

Outside Appointments Board

The Outside Appointments Board (OAB) is an independent body established in 2005 under the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. The Board is comprised of the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, and three non-civil servant members, one of whom acts as Chairman. There is 1 vacancy at present for a non-civil servant member. The two Secretaries General are not paid fees for membership of the OAB. Since 2012, the non-civil servant members also are not paid fees or annual allowances. There is no statutory provision providing for the making of such appointments. It is not anticipated that any vacancies will arise in the next six months

Public Appointments Service

The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 states that I as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice and Equality should appoint members of the Board of the Public Appointments Service. The Board is meant to be representative of our client base. The majority of the board is therefore civil or public servants, nominated by the relevant Minister. The Chairman is paid €11,970 p.a and three board members are paid €7,695 each p.a. There are no vacancies anticipated in the next six months on the PAS Board.

An Post National Lottery Company

The statutory provision providing for the making of appointments to the Board of the National Lottery is the National Lottery Act 1986, Section 14. The Annual Allowance payable to ordinary Members (excluding An Post/ National Lottery Company personnel) is €12,600 per annum As the Chairperson is the CEO of An Post no fee is payable. The current National Lottery license is due to expire in 2013.