Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2012
77 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13308/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table that follows this reply provides the relevant details of all appointments and reappointments made to bodies under the aegis of my Department since my appointment as Minister. The Deputy will note that I have made one new appointment as a chairperson, i.e. in respect of the Education Finance Board. It is anticipated that this newly appointed board will serve for a number of months pending the establishment of the new Residential Institutions Statutory Fund. Therefore this appointment is for a period of one year or until such time as the Statutory Fund is established, whichever is the earlier.
In accordance with Government policy, expressions of interest have been sought through the Public Appointments Service from suitably qualified and experienced people for consideration for appointment to the following boards of bodies that operate under the aegis of my Department: Leárgas Limited — the Exchange Bureau in December 2011; the Higher Education Authority in December 2011; the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (to be newly established) in December 2011; the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in February 2012; the State Examinations Commission (SEC) in February 2012; and the Teaching Council in February 2012. To date, two individuals who applied through PAS have been appointed to the Board of the HEA. Appointments have not yet been made to the other boards mentioned above.
Vacancies on other Boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that arise during 2012 will continue to be advertised on my Department's website. The Deputy should note that in making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills and competencies for the positions.
|
Agency Name |
Number Appointments/ reappointments |
Names |
Notes |
|
Education Finance Board |
2 reappointments and 7 appointments |
Mr. Seán Benton (Chairperson)Mr. Peter OrmondMr. Stephen McCarthyMs Norah GibbonsMs Inez BaileyMs Bernadette FahyMs Marian DunningtonMr. James QuinnMs Dolores Rooney |
This Board is effectively a caretaker board which will serve for a number of months pending the establishment of the Statutory Fund. It is envisaged that the new Fund will assume the functions of the Board and the Board will be dissolved when the fund is set up. Mr. Ormond and MsFahy are re-appointments. |
|
Foras Áiseanna Saothair |
1 appointment |
Mr. Michael Moriarty |
Mr. Moriarty, who is General Secretary of the IVEA, was appointed in July 2011 because of his expertise in the area of Vocational Education which will be particularly useful in the context of the future integration of the FÁS training division and the VECs and the creation of SOLAS, the new further education and training authority. |
|
Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) |
11 reappointments (See Note 1) |
Mr. Donal O’Rourke (Chairperson)Dr. Padraig WalshMs Margaret O’ConnellMr. Rory O’SullivanMr. Joseph O’LearyMs Deirdre KeyesMs Bridie DalyMs Margaret MernaghMr. John MulcahyMr. Tony PetitMs Shira Mehiman |
As FETAC’s term of office expired in December 2011, and to meet with statutory obligations, eligible members of the outgoing Board were re-appointed to the Board until such time as the new QQAAI is established. All 11 re-appointed on 21st December 2011. |
|
Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) |
2 appointments and 8 reappointments (See Note 1) |
Dr. Maria Hinfelaar (1st appointed 9/6/2011)Mr. Aengus Ó Maoláin (1st appointed 1/7/2011)Prof. Séamus Smyth (Chairperson)Dr. Finola Doyle-O’NeillDr. Marion PalmerDr. Íde Ní FhaoláinMs Mary Mc GlynnDr. Diarmuid O’Callaghan |
As HETAC’s term of office expired in December 2011, and to meet with statutory obligations, eligible members of the outgoing Board were re-appointed to the Board until such time as the new QQAAI (see note 1) is established. All 8 re-appointed on 21st December 2011. |
|
Higher Education Authority |
7 appointments and 3 reappointments |
Mr Gary Redmond (President USI)Prof. Anthony StainesMs Siobhán HarkinMr. Gordan RyanMs Kathleen Lough (re-appointed)Mr. Paddy CosgraveDr. Brian ThornesDr. Mary Canning (re-appointed)Mr. Bahram BekheradniaDr. Jim Mountjoy |
Mr. Redmond was re-appointed in July 2011 by virtue of his re-appointment as President of the USI. All other members were appointed by the Government on 6th March 2012.Both MsHarkin & Dr. Canning applied though the Public Appointments Service (PAS) process. |
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment |
2 appointments |
Mr. Seán Ó CoinnProfessor Noirín Hayes |
Mr. Ó Coinn nominated by Foras na Gaeilge and Professor Noirín Hayes nominated by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Both appointed on the 13th of December 2011. |
|
National Council for Special Education |
1 appointment |
Ms Maureen Costello |
Director of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) appointed in September 2011. |
|
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland |
1 appointment and 5 reappointments (See Note 1) |
Mr. Gary Redmond (1st appointed 24/6/2011)Prof. Anne ScottMs Marie BourkeMr. Eamon DevoyMs Audry DeaneMr. Tony Donohue |
All re-appointed on 31st March 2011 with exception of Mr. Redmond. |
|
Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB) |
11 reappointments |
Dr. Fionnuala O’LoughlinDr. Helen CummiskeyDr. Harry BuglerDr. Mary BluettDr. Ruth PilkingtonDr. William DelaneyMr. John CampbellMs Ann O’BrienMs Samantha Cruess CallaghanMs Dariona Conlon |
All re-appointed on 16th December 2011 |
|
Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC) |
6 reappointments |
The Hon. Mr. Justice Francis D. Murphy (Chairperson)Mr. John DaltonMs Ita ManganMr. Justice John BuckleyMr. Brendan GogartyMr. Colm Gaynor |
All re-appointed on 16th December 2011 |
|
Skillnets Ltd |
1 |
Mr. Mícheál Ó Fiannachta |
A Departmental official appointed in June 2011. |
Note 1: The Further Education and Training Awards Council, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland are to be merged to form a new body to be known as the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland in the coming months.
