I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together.
My Department does not engage the company in question in respect of appointments to State Boards under its remit. All appointments to State Boards are made in accordance with the appropriate legislation governing appointments to each body. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of another Minister.
My Department provides support to the company in order that it may continue to provide valuable assistance and expertise in the development of the community and voluntary sector by strengthening volunteer organisations’ boards and management committees. The company assists volunteer organisations in building links between corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors and encourages people from corporate and public sectors to sit on not-for-profit boards. It also enhances the skill sets on not-for-profit boards through the development of training packages and other supports for boards and board members.