Appointments to State Boards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 February 2014

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Questions (313, 314)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

313. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will itemise in tabular form the occasions on which her Department has engaged the services of external professional advice such as a company (details supplied) on the appointment of persons to State boards; if she will list the fees paid in respect of such services; the persons who were ultimately appointed on foot of advice received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4993/14]

Catherine Murphy

Question:

314. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will identify any instances where a person appointed to a State board after recruitment advice was received from professional external consultants was subsequently deemed to be unqualified for the duties and responsibilities attached to the role; the costs incurred in obtaining advice in respect of each such instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5009/14]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

I propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 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. The Department has not engaged any companies to provide external professional advice on the appointments of persons to the above statutory bodies.