Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

The board of the Health Service Executive is continuing the recruitment process for the next chief executive officer of the HSE as the contract of the current CEO, Professor Brendan Drumm, expires in August this year. In accordance with section 17 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE board is responsible for making the appointment. The Act stipulates that the recruitment process must be in accordance with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.

I understand the recruitment process is being conducted in accordance with the code of practice issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. Public advertisements for the position were placed nationally and internationally in December 2009. In addition, an executive search and recruitment company, Amrop Strategis, was engaged by the board following competitive tender and conducted an international search for the position.

By its nature, much of the information about this competitive process, including information about applicants and interviews, is confidential. It is not appropriate, therefore, for me to speak about the details sought by the Deputy. However, I understand the intention of the board is to complete the process in June.

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