Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2015
210. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department, on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and her plans to make savings from this area. [12551/15]
View answer211. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors, including fees, travel expenses and other expenditure; and her plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12601/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 210 and 211 together.
My Department does not collate information relating to the age of chairpersons or members of State boards in bodies operating under its aegis.
In relation to the numbers of appointees to State boards under my Department's aegis, the total number of current board members is 156. It should be noted that the National Archives Act 1986 requires that the membership of the National Archives Advisory Council must include two members of the board of the Irish Manuscripts Commission. A further individual serves on both the aforementioned boards due to the crossover in the specialisation and expertise drawn upon for both boards. Finally, the Acting Director of the National Library serves as an ex officio member of the boards of both the Chester Beatty Library and the Irish Manuscripts Commission.
The total amount paid in fees in 2014 to members of State boards under my Department's aegis was €200,207. I am advised that the total expenditure on board fees is expected to fall below that level in 2015. Some members of boards are not paid fees due to the 'one salary' rule and others who could claim fees have waived their fee on a voluntary basis.
The table sets out details of the numbers sitting on State boards under my Department's aegis, the numbers and percentage of women sitting on the boards and the fees paid in 2014. It has not been possible to identify the total expenditure on travel and other costs in the time available. However, I am advised that all such expenses are paid in accordance with the guidelines and rules set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
|
Body |
Total board members |
Female board members |
% female membership |
Fees paid in 2014 |
|
National Library |
10 |
3 |
30% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
National Archives Advisory Council |
10 |
6 |
60% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
9 |
3 |
33% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
10 |
3 |
30% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
Irish Manuscripts Commission |
20 |
7 |
35% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
National Concert Hall |
15 |
8 |
53% |
€2,993 paid to the previous Chairperson from 1 January to 15 April 2014. The current Chairperson was appointed on a pro bono basis. No fees are payable to board members. |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
15 |
6 |
40% |
€4,896 paid to board members who accepted a fee from 1 January to 28 February 2014. All board members thereafter waived their fees. |
|
IMMA |
10 |
6 |
60% |
Chairperson has waived the fee payable. No fees are payable to board members. |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
15 |
5 |
33% |
All board members waived their fees. |
|
Heritage Council |
11 |
5 |
45% |
€26,334 paid to 5 board members. The remaining board members are public servants and are not eligible to claim fees under the one person one salary principle. |
|
Arts Council |
13 |
7 |
54% |
€72,951 paid to 12 board members. One board member waived the fee. |
|
Irish Film Board |
7 |
3 |
43% |
No fees are payable to board members. |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
11 |
2 |
16.66% |
€93,033 aid to 8 board members. The remaining board members are public servants and are not eligible to claim fees under the one person one salary principle. |
In the interest of completeness, it may be noted that appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge (16 members) and the Ulster-Scots Agency (8 members), being agencies of the North South Implementation Body, are made by the North South Ministerial Council, arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction. Relevant board details, including fees, are published on the websites www.forasnagaeilge.ie and www.ulsterscotsagency.com.
