As the Deputy will be aware, the selection process for the appointment to the position of Secretary General in the Department of Health was undertaken by the Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) with the assistance of the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
The position of Secretary General in the Department of Health was openly advertised on 8 January 2021. Applications for this competition closed on 28 January 2021.
In addition to being published by PAS on its publicjobs.ie portal, the position was extensively advertised through social media (LinkedIn and Twitter) as well as national and international advertisements placed online with the Journal of American Medical Association, New Zealand Medical Association, Canadian Medical Association, Medical Journal of Australia, Irish Times, RecruitIreland, Guardian UK and the Health Service Journal.
PAS also issued job alerts by email and text message to those who have registered their interest in positions at this level on the publicjobs.ie website. TLAC has also circulated it to Civil Service Departments as well as other Public Service Bodies.
In relation to the TLAC selection process, PAS convenes a Preliminary Interview Board to review all eligible applications, identifying a shortlist of candidates who were invited to attend a Preliminary Interview.
This Preliminary Panel explores each shortlisted candidate’s CV, track record, competencies and suitability in regard to the post under consideration.
Based on the interview and documentation, the function of this Preliminary Interview Board is to identify those candidates who, in the Board’s judgement, are suitable for progression to final interview, generally to a maximum of 5 candidates.
Candidates successful at the Preliminary Interview stage will then be recommended for a final interview with a sub-panel of TLAC.
TLAC may then recommend up to 3 names in alphabetical order who, in its judgement, meet the required criteria.
Given the role of TLAC as an independent body to support Government in considering appointments to senior civil service positions, I know that the Deputy will appreciate that I must respect the integrity, confidentiality and independence of the constituent TLAC processes.
In relation to the TLAC competition for the post of Secretary General in the Department of Health, I can confirm to the Deputy that there were a total of 23 applications received for the position. Of the 23 applications received, 20 identified as being Irish nationals and 3 identified as being international. 3 candidates were shortlisted for final consideration under the TLAC process. All 3 shortlisted candidates identified as being Irish.
In this instance, I am informed that the Preliminary Interview Board established by PAS comprised of:
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Role
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Gender
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Background
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Independent Chairperson
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Male
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Non-executive director and Chairperson of a number of companies in the financial services, research, public and private sector. A former CEO of a large state entity and Secretary General of 2 Government Departments during his tenure.
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Independent External Board Member
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Female
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A former Permanent Secretary of the UK Department of Health with an extensive career in the UK Civil Service and Health sector.
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Secretary General ( or former Secretary General)
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Male
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A former Secretary General and non-executive director of a number of public and private organisations.
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Nominee of TLAC
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Male
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External member of TLAC
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I am also informed that the sub-panel of TLAC comprised of:
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Role
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Gender
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Chair of TLAC
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Male
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Two external TLAC Members
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Female and Male
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Two Secretaries General (serving)
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Female and Male
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