Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
202. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies on the Higher Education Authority board; the duration of these vacancies; the process by which these vacancies will be filled; the timeframe for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31112/17]
View answerThe HEA Board currently comprises a Chairperson and 12 ordinary members. This includes two members who were reappointed to the Board on 20 June 2017.
I am also inviting expressions of interest, through the Public Appointments Service, for a further two academic members. This application process is currently underway and the closing date for expressions of interest is 7 July 2017.
Once these positions are filled, the Board of the HEA will comprise a Chair and 7 academic and 7 non-academic members. This satisfies the minimum number of Board members statutorily provided for under the HEA Act, 1971.
I am satisfied that the Board of the HEA is functioning effectively. However, in general, I am in favour of keeping state boards as small as possible and I will be exploring the possibility of providing, through future legislation, for a reduced minimum size of the HEA Board.
