Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2016
280. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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. [36644/16]
View answer281. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence 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. [36835/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together.
The only State body currently under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act, 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The chairman and the non military ordinary member are appointed by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
Commandant Zdenek Osecky who was a temporary ordinary member of the Board with effect from 10 September 2015 was permanently appointed on 24 June 2016 by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
No other vacancy has been filled on the Army Pensions Board since 8 May 2016 and no vacancies currently exist on the Army Pensions Board.
