Niall Collins
Question:318. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a new Secretary General will be appointed in her Department. [45705/15]
View answerThursday, 17 December 2015
Questions (318)
Written answers
As I have informed the House in response to previous questions on this matter, appointments to the position of Secretary General are a function of Government. The recruitment process is undertaken by the Top Level Appointments Commission (TLAC) through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). I can inform the Deputy that the situation in relation to the Secretary General position in my Department has not changed in the interim.
The Deputy will be aware, therefore, that Mr. Noel Waters, formerly the Director General of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, has taken on the duties of Secretary General in my Department since October 2014. Mr. Waters fulfils all the duties of the post.
An open international recruitment competition for the post of Secretary General was independently run by the PAS on behalf of TLAC in 2014. However, the PAS process did not lead to any candidate being recommended for the position at that time. I am on record as saying that the circumstances facing the Justice sector at the time proved to be a factor in the position not being filled.
Implementation of a change programme arising from the recommendation of the Independent Review of my Department as well as the Civil Service Renewal Programme has been a top priority for my Department and this has resulted in a comprehensive and ongoing range of reforms and developments. With substantial reform of the Department of Justice and Equality now becoming embedded, this matter will be considered again in due course.