Appointments to State Boards

Wednesday, 18 June 2014

Questions (208)

Seán Fleming

Question:

208. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of his Department in each year from 2011 to 2014; the number that were publicly advertised; the reason all appointments are not open to public competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26266/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

There are three agencies which are currently funded by the Exchequer through my Department's vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Child and Family Agency and the Ombudsman for Children's Office. Up to 31st December 2013 my Department also funded the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. With the establishment of the Child and Family Agency on 1st January 2014, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board ceased to exist, and their roles were subsumed into the Child and Family Agency. Appointments to their boards ceased with effect from 31st December 2013. Apart from the Ombudsman for Children's Office, which does not have a board, I am responsible for all board of management appointments. Since my predecessor took office in March 2011, 48 persons were appointed to the boards of management under the aegis of the Department.

As the Deputy may be aware, in line with the Government decision of April 2011, new arrangements were put in place for the making of appointments to State Boards and bodies. Following this Government Decision, a notice was placed on my Department's website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under the Department's aegis. The notice indicates the vacancies in the boards of the respective bodies. My officials acknowledge all expressions of interest received and maintain a database of those expressions. My Department's website is monitored and updated on a regular basis to reflect the number of vacancies as they arise.

In making decisions on appointments to boards, subject to the governing legislation, the most suitable persons are considered for positions with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities. An appropriate mix of skills and experience is an important element of the selection process. The following tables show the full list of appointments.

Appointments to State Boards under the remit of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs since March, 2011

National Educational Welfare Board

Board Member	Term
Nuala Doherty (Chair)	30/07/12 – 29/07/17
Brendan Broderick (Resigned 31/12/12)	15/09/11 – 03/03/14
Catherine Connery	28/05/12 – 27/05/15
Marian Jennings	28/05/12 – 27/05/15
Eamonn Flynn	15/09/11 – 03/03/14
Bob Dowling	02/03/12 – 01/03/15
Ruairí Gogan	02/03/12 – 01/03/15
Deirdre Matthews	14/01/13 – 30/09/13
Mary Donnelly	23/04/12 – 22/04/15
Sally Maguire	03/11/13 – 03/03/14

Children Detention Schools

Board Member	Term
Joe Horan (Chair)	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Gerard McKiernan	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Ursula Kilkelly	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Diego Gallagher	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Sylda Langford	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Pat Rooney	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Elizabeth Howard	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Colin Fetherston	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Barry Rooney	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Deirdre Keyes	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Dan Kelleher	26/03/12 – 25/03/14
Rachel Grimes	14/11/12 – 25/03/14
Niall Kelly	06/09/13 – 25/03/14

Family Support Agency

Board Member	Term
Sharon Foley (Chair)	30/01/12 – 31/03/13 (Ordinary Board member) & 26/03/12 – 31/03/13 (Chair)
Caroline Murphy	20/10/11 – 31/03/12 16/04/12 – 31/03/13
Dick Hickey	02/06/11 – 01/12/11 02/12/11 – 31/03/12 16/04/12 – 31/03/13
Dr. John Griffin	30/04/12 – 31/03/13
Marie Fenlon	01/09/11 – 31/03/12 16/04/12 – 31/03/13
Liz Chaloner	30/01/12 – 31/03/13
Nuala Ryan	30/01/12 – 31/03/13
Catherine Downey Murphy	11/07/12 – 31/03/13
Catherine Hazlett (Resigned on 16/05/12 due to restructuring of Department)	26/07/11 – 31/03/12 16/04/12 – 31/03/13
Yvette O'Malley (Resigned on 10/11/11)	01/09/11 – 10/11/11
Marie Dullea	11/07/12 – 31/03/13
Imelda Martin	28/11/11 – 31/03/12 16/04/12 – 31/03/13
Lorraine Mulligan	12/12/12 – 31/03/13
Dr. Nollaig Byrne	08/02/12 – 31/03/13
Norah Gibbons (Chair)	01/06/13 – up to 3 years or establishment of Child and Family Agency (CFA)
Sylda Langford	17/09/13 – up to 3 years or establishment of CFA
PJ Fitzpatrick	17/09/13 – up to 3 years or establishment of CFA
Noelle Spring	17/09/13 – up to 3 years or establishment of CFA
Rory O'Ferrall	17/09/13 – up to 3 years or establishment of CFA
Gary Joyce	17/09/13 – up to 3 years or establishment of CFA
Ita Mangan	17/09/13 – up to 3 years or establishment of CFA
Noel Kelly	17/09/13 – up to 3 years or establishment of CFA
Gary Ó Donnchadha	02/12/13 - up to 3 years or establishment of CFA

Adoption Authority of Ireland

Board Member	Term
Dr. Imelda Ryan	07/02/12 – 6/07/17
Ms. Anne O'Flaherty	11/09/13- 11/09/18

Child and Family Agency

Norah Gibbons (Chair)	01/01/14 (5 years)
Sylda Langford	01/01/14 (3 years)
PJ Fitzpatrick	01/01/14 (4 years)
Noelle Spring	01/01/14 (3 years)
Rory O'Ferrall	01/01/14 (3 years)
Gary Joyce	01/01/14 (5 years)
Ita Mangan	01/01/14 (4 years)
Noel Kelly	01/01/14 (4 years)
Gary Ó Donnchadha	01/01/14 (3 years)