Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017
932. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health further to parliamentary question number 1314 of 20 June 2017, the number of former TDs that applied for board positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34844/17]
View answerThe nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation.
The applications from candidates who express an interest in being a member of a State Board are submitted to the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Information received by PAS in candidate application forms is confidential. PAS undertakes an assessment of all application forms to examine that they meet the criteria for the board position. The criteria that are checked on application forms relate mainly to the competencies and skills necessary to become a member of the Board. Being a former T.D. would not prevent a person being considered for membership of a Board as long as that person had the requisite skills and competencies to fill the position. Following the assessment by PAS I then receive details of the successful candidates that are deemed eligible to sit on that board.
I cannot therefore confirm the number of former T.D.s who applied for a board position of a body under my aegis.
