Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 June 2014
102. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Taoiseach the number of appointments to State boards under the remit of his Department in each year from 2011 to 2014, inclusive; 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. [26562/14]
View answerSince coming into office on 9 March 2011, I have made appointments to the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), as set out in the table below. These appointments were made following careful consideration of the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to the functions of the Council. Some of the appointments were made on the basis of nominations from business and employer interests, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, farming and agricultural interests, the community and voluntary sector and the environmental sector. It would not be appropriate to advertise these positions as they are nominated in a representative capacity.
I may also appoint up to six public servants of whom at least one shall represent the Taoiseach and one shall represent the Minister for Finance. Historically, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson posts are filled from my Department at Secretary General and Assistant Secretary level. These appointments represent relevant Departments to ensure the Council's work is integrated with Government policy-making and would not be suitable for public advertisement.
A number of independent members, mainly relevant experts from the academic sector, were appointed in June and July 2011. It is my intention that when such further vacancies arise, public expressions of interest will be sought in line with the Government decision of November 2011.
Appointments to the National Statistics Board (NSB) are made in line with the provisions of Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993. The Act states that the NSB shall consist of eight members comprising the following seven persons who shall be appointed by the Taoiseach,
- five persons of proven ability and experience in relevant fields, two of whom shall be nominated by the Taoiseach and three of whom shall be nominated by such organisation or organisations as the Taoiseach considers to be representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under this Act,
- an Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of the Taoiseach, and
- an Assistant Secretary or equivalent or higher grade in the Department of Finance.
The Director General of the CSO is a member of the board, ex officio. In 2012 an Assistant Secretary from the Department of the Taoiseach was appointed to replace the previous Assistant Secretary from the Department on the Board.
The term of membership of the NSB expired in October 2013. The Chair and Civil Servants on the Board were reappointed for a new term of three years. Expressions of interest were invited for the remaining positions on the NSB. These positions were advertised on the websites of the Department of the Taoiseach and the National Statistics Board.
In 2014 four new appointments were made to the Board. Also in 2014, an Assistant Secretary from the Department of Finance was appointed to replace the previous Assistant Secretary from that Department on the Board.
