Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
606. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of the boards, bodies or committees under the remit of her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [37514/13]
View answer607. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of the bodies, boards or committees under the remit of her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [37529/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 606 and 607 together.
The statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection are the Citizens Information Board, the Pensions Board, the Pensions Ombudsman (which does not have a board) and the Social Welfare Tribunal.
Citizens Information Board
There are currently two vacancies on the Citizens Information Board. Both vacancies relate to ordinary board members. A public request for expressions of interest resulted in 76 applications being received through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Appointments will be made in accordance with the legislation on completion of the selection process. No further vacancies are anticipated within the next six months.
Pensions Board
Following from the Critical Review of the Pensions Board under the Public Service Reform Plan, the governance structure of the Pensions Board is in the process of changing to form two bodies:
the Pensions Authority, a three person body which will have oversight of the Pensions Board; and a separate unpaid Pensions Council, with a majority of members representing consumer interests, which will advise the Minister on pensions policy.
Under existing provision in the Pensions Act, the Chair and members are filled by Ministerial appointment and this will continue to apply to the new structures. It is expected that vacancies for the Pensions Council will be advertised through PAS in the coming months.
Social Welfare Tribunal
There are no current vacancies on the Board of the Social Welfare Tribunal and it is not anticipated that one will become available within the next six months.
