Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The point I made was that the chief executive officer designate of the agency had been recruited prior to my taking up office in January 2011 on the salary commented on by Deputies. His recruitment followed an international search process and he brought with him enormous experience. It is important we realise the challenges he will face in the child and family support agency.

I take some of the points made on the difficult economic situation we face. However, every effort was made to recruit in Ireland to fill the post of quality assurance manager in the new agency. That, however, was not possible following the competition process. Every Member knows that having someone in place who understands quality assurance in this area is absolutely necessary. It was in these circumstances and because of the need to fill the post that a decision was taken to offer a three-year fixed-term contract. The person who has taken up the job brings significant international experience. The future development of the child and family support agency will be greatly enhanced by the work done by the people concerned. The post will be readvertised to be filled by way of open competition in advance of the expiry of the fixed-term contract.

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