Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
558. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the current number of vacant local authority chief executive positions across the country; the period of time each position has been vacant for; when these vacancies were advertised; what timeframe is expected on the successful appointment of the vacant positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35608/23]
View answerThere are currently 7 vacant local authority Chief Executive positions in the Local Authority sector provided in tabular format below for ease of reference. This table provides details of when each position became vacant, and when these vacancies were or will be advertised.
|
Vacant Chief Executive Post |
When Post was advertised |
Date Vacancy arose |
|
Monaghan County Council |
16.04.2023 |
17.12.2022 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
16.04.2023 |
01.10.2022 |
|
Carlow County Council |
16.04.2023 |
19.10.2022 |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
16.04.2023 |
25.08.2022 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
Not yet advertised |
04.06.2023 |
|
Galway City County Council |
Not yet advertised |
06.06.2023 |
|
Meath County Council |
21.07.2023 |
06.06.2023 |
Where a vacancy occurs, under subsection (4) of section 145 of the Local Government Act 2001 the Minister may appoint a temporary Chief Executive until a permanent appointment is made. This process has already been carried out in each of these local authorities and a temporary Chief Executive is in place in all cases. Details of the temporary Chief Executives in each case are provided in the table below.
|
Local Authority |
Temporary Chief Executive |
|
Monaghan County Council |
Ms Patricia Monahan |
|
Roscommon County Council |
Mr Shane Tiernan |
|
Carlow County Council |
Mr Michael Rainey |
|
Kilkenny County Council |
Mr Sean McKeown |
|
South Dublin County Council |
Mr Colm Ward |
|
Galway City County Council |
MS Patricia Philbin |
|
Meath County Council |
Ms Fiona Lawless |
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is notified of Chief Executive vacancies by my Department and the running of all aspects of the competition is then a matter for them. I am informed that PAS advertised the roles of Chief Executive for Monaghan, Roscommon, Carlow and Kilkenny County Councils in mid-April. The interview processes for these roles are currently underway and well-advanced. The vacancy in Meath was advertised on 21 July.
Following completion of the selection process, candidates will be selected by the interview Board for recommendation to the Cathaoirleach of each respective Local Authority, subject to the finalisation of relevant checks by PAS. Chief Executives are appointed by the Council and I have no involvement in that process.
