Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2014
157. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on whether all senior appointment to taxpayer-funded positions in the public service under the remit of his Department, including appointment to State boards, should be publicly advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3196/14]
View answerI am committed to ensuring that senior level appointments of the kind referred to are publicly advertised in line with general public service recruitment policies and practices and reflecting the Government’s commitment to ensure that such posts, which are central to the effective performance of our system of public administration, attract the widest range of high calibre candidates.
The Public Appointments Service already advertises a large number of public service posts on publicjobs.ie when requested . My Department promotes the availability of this service to the public service bodies under it s aegis on an on-going basis.
The selection and appointment to higher level management positions in Local Authorities is governed by primary legislation, including the Local Government Act 2001. Such positions are filled following open competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service.
Authorised filling of staff vacancies in State Agencies is generally a matter for the individual organisations concerned . The Public Appointments Service is available to discuss with any State agency the facility of advertising such vacancies on publicjobs.ie.
In relation to appointments to State boards a notice was placed on my Department’s website on 19 July 2011, seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons, for consideration as members or chairpersons of the boards of State bodies under the aegis of my Department. Vacancies on the boards of bodies under my Department’s aegis will be notified on the website as they arise. However, expressions of interest can be made at any time and will be kept on file in my Department for consideration as vacancies occur.
In considering applications, due regard is had to the requirements of the position, the qualifications, experience and expertise of applicants. In considering applications, due regard is also had to Government policy regarding gender balance on State boards.
All appointments are made in accordance with the appropriate legislation governing appointments to each body. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate.
In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of another Minister.
