Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2016
68. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach 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; and the timeline for filling remaining vacancies. [36655/16]
View answerI appoint the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) in accordance with the provisions of the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006, and the National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010 - SI 603/2010.
The Statistics Act 1993 gives me authority to make appointments to National Statistics Board (NSB). I have delegated this authority to the Minister of State at my Department and Government Chief Whip, Regina Doherty TD.
In the case of the NESC, the legislation provides that I appoint up to 20 members on the nomination of the organisations and interests set out, up to 6 public servants, and up to 8 independent members.
The Statistics Act 1993 provides for an eight member National Statistics Board, the Director General of the CSO, ex officio; one representative each from my Department and the Department of Finance, two nominated by the Minister of State and three by organisations representative of the users of official statistics and providers of information under the Act.
John Shaw, Assistant Secretary in my Department was appointed to the NSB on 15 September 2016 to fill a casual vacancy. There have been no other appointments to the NSB since 8 May 2016 and there are currently no vacancies.
The five year term of the NESC has expired and consideration of the arrangements for a new Council is ongoing. Where appropriate and consistent with the legislation future vacancies on the NESC and NSB will be advertised through the Public Appointments Service process in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.
