Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2015
179. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he operates an age restriction policy in terms of board appointments whereby persons who reach 70 years of age while still serving have to resign from their particular board notwithstanding their wish to continue to serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45044/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNotwithstanding any practice that may apply in the case of an individual board and of which, in the absence of further details from the Deputy, I am currently unaware, I can assure him that the Government has no policy of age restrictions in regard to service on State boards.
Under the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards that I issued in November 2014, detailed specifications for such roles are to be drawn up by the Department of the Minister making the appointment in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service. The 2014 Guidelines make no reference to an upper age limit, and while positions have been filled on 70 boards to-date under these Guidelines, my understanding is that none of the specifications for these appointments provided for an upper age-limit for board service.
