Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2013
306. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the judiciary. [8117/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State-owned banks and judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8135/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8153/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 306 to 308, inclusive, together.
Details of Membership of Boards and appointment dates can be downloaded from my Department's website, this information is updated when any relevant changes occur. http://www.education.ie.
In accordance with Government policy, expressions of interest have been sought through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for appointment to the following boards of Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department. Leárgas Ltd – The Exchange Bureau; The Higher Education Authority (HEA); Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI); The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA); The State Examinations Commission (SEC); The Teaching Council Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA); National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
Three appointments were made to the Board of Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS), these vacancies were not published on PAS. Appointments to the Board of FÁS were made after consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
It should be noted that Board appointments, while made by me as Minister, are not in all cases made at my sole discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute of the body concerned. The Deputy should further 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. In making any direct Ministerial board appointment, all of those appointed are obliged to have the relevant qualifications/experience for the positions. In that respect regard is given to the body or agency in question and its particular area of responsibility as well as ensuring that the board members have an appropriate mix of skills and experience in such areas as corporate governance, legal expertise, financial expertise.
The information requested on the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made that were subject to the PAS process is outlined in the following table.
Details of Boards appointed from PAS
|
Name of Board |
Number of Vacancies [Note 1] |
Appointments made from members of the public who applied through the PAS process |
% subject to a public applications process |
|
Léargas |
10 |
0 |
0 |
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
9 |
2 |
22 |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) |
8 |
3 |
38 |
|
State Examinations Commission (SEC) |
5 |
2 |
40 |
|
Teaching Council |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NCCA) |
3 |
2 |
67 |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) |
6 |
3 |
50 |
|
National Council for Special Education (NCSE) |
13 |
2 |
15 |
Note 1: It should be noted that Board appointments, while made by the Minister, are not in all cases made at his sole discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute of the body concerned.
