Skip to main content
Normal View

Appointments to State Boards Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2016

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Questions (6, 151, 169)

Dara Calleary

Question:

6. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacancies on State boards in his Department, the number filled since he took office, the number filled through the Public Appointments Service, the timelines to fill vacancies and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36523/16]

View answer

Dara Calleary

Question:

151. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacancies on boards or agencies within his Department's remit that currently exist, the number that have been filled since 8 May 2016, the number of these that were filled through the Public Appointments Service, the timeline for filling remaining vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36652/16]

View answer

Dara Calleary

Question:

169. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacancies on State boards in his Department, the number filled since he took office, the number filled through the Public Appointments Service, the timelines to fill vacancies and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36842/16]

View answer

Oral answers (9 contributions)

I have put this question to every Minister. It concerns the number of vacancies on State boards within the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform but as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I would also like him to comment on vacancies on State boards generally.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 151 and 169 together.

The answer in respect of my Department is short. The board of the Public Appointments Service is the only State board under the aegis of my Department. There are no vacancies on the board of the Public Appointments Service and I can confirm that none has been filled since the current Government took office. I can give the Deputy more information if he wishes. In respect of vacancies on State boards, as a Minister who had responsibility in the past for many State boards, I am aware of all the work involved in respect of filling vacancies on those boards. I am undertaking a review of the process put in place by the previous Government and will consult all of my colleagues in government about whether it can be improved or changed. I believe there is a good process in place, but it is up to each Minister to make decisions in respect of appointments.

The Minister has said there is a good process in places. By extension, this leads me to say that he has confidence in the Public Appointments Service and its role in filling vacancies on State boards. He was previously Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Did he allow a situation to arise where 35 vacancies on crucial State boards were left unfilled? The Road Safety Authority and Irish Rail are two organisations that come to mind. Are there other Departments that the Public Appointments Service assists in terms of filling vacancies on State boards that face the same kind of challenges that have been identified by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, that is, providing too many people to fill the vacancies?

The Deputy asked me whether I have confidence in the Public Appointments Service and its work. The answer is "Yes". As the Deputy is aware, it has an enhanced role and does more work in this area than was the case in recent years. I believe this has led to the availability of better candidates than has been the case for many years because more people are aware of the process.

In respect of my tenure as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, while I cannot remember the exact number of vacancies that may exist at any point, the answer is that, of course, there were vacancies when I was Minister because you have responsibility for a group of boards and people may resign or go on to do different work. This can mean that despite your best efforts, there are vacancies that then take time to fill. Am I aware of the vacancy levels on other State boards? I do not have that information with me, but I know that the Deputy's party is putting questions on this issue to all my colleagues. However, I can get the information for him if he wishes. I suspect he will have it soon. I cannot give him answers relating to other Departments, but I am undertaking a review of the process to assess how it is working and if improvements can be made.

In respect of the interests of good governance of any State company or organisation, particularly those facing specific challenges such as Irish Rail and the Road Safety Authority and given the challenges we face at the moment or in any other Department where there are challenges, is it appropriate for there to be no appointments to a State board over a six-month period? I accept that Ministers are busy, vacancies happen and there needs to be a process, but surely in the course of six months, a Minister should do his or her job, make the appointments and do what he or she is paid to do.

A Minister is paid to make appointments with which he or she is satisfied. It is up to the Minister of the day to make decisions on the matter. That is what the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is entitled do to and I fully support him in all that work because I am aware of how important those appointments are. It is up to him to be satisfied as to who he wants to put on the boards of organisations for which he is responsible. He will have my support in respect of any decisions he makes.

If he makes them.

He is taking the time to which he is entitled to make decisions which he will ultimately be accountable to the House for. That is what he is doing. While he is doing that, we will continue with our work to assess how the process works overall to see if improvements can be made and what its current strengths are. I am seeking out the views of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport on that. Of course, he will make the appointments he believes are in the best interests of the boards for which he is responsible.

Question No. 7 is in the name of Deputy Brendan Smith. I understand the Ceann Comhairle has agreed that the question will be put by Deputy Dara Calleary. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Top
Share