Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details on the recruitment of the next chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive; the number of candidates who have expressed interest in same; the timeline for the interview process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10522/10]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the salary of the new chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive will be paid less than the current post holder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10527/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 67 together.

The board of the Health Service Executive has begun 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. That 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 initiated by the board is being conducted in accordance with the code of practice issued by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. Much of the information about this competitive process is, by its nature, confidential, such as information about applicants and interviews, and it is not appropriate, therefore, for me to seek access to the details sought by the Deputy. However, I understand the intention of the board is to ensure the process will be complete in time for an orderly handover of responsibility.

Public advertisements for the position were placed nationally and internationally in December 2009. As part of the recruitment process, an executive search and recruitment company, Amrop Strategis, has been engaged by the board following competitive tender to conduct an international search for the position.

The salary rate for the post is €228,466. This is the same as the current salary rate for the Secretaries General of the Departments of the Taoiseach and Finance and is in line with the recommendations of the review body reports in 2007 and 2009 for the CEO of the HSE. A higher remuneration level was approved for the current CEO on his appointment to reflect the particular challenges for the first appointee to the post.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Minister named the firm involved in the recruitment process. What will be the cost of the process and how much will the company in question charge? How many internal and external applications have been received for the position of chief executive of the Health Service Executive? When will the appointment be made? I presume the rumours that the vacancy is the subject of the recruitment embargo are untrue.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The cost will be €34,000, excluding VAT. I understand the company in question approached 113 potentially suitable candidates and subsequently met 25 of these candidates. I also understand 40 responses were received as a result of an advertisement placed in newspapers. A shortlist of ten candidates has been drawn up and it is expected that interviews will be conducted during this month.

The cost of the advertising campaign was €25,055. Advertisements were placed in The Irish Times, The Sunday Times, Sunday Independent, Irish Independent and The Economist. I am pleased to note The Economist was used.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The €25,055 cost is in addition to the €34,000 fee.

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Yes.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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While I do not expect the Minister to respond, I am curious as to whether Professor Keane was one of the applicants for the job. I welcome the decision to reduce the salary for the chief executive to the same level as the salaries of the Secretaries General of the Department of the Taoiseach and Department of Finance. Will bonuses be written into the salary?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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With a Cabinet reshuffle pending, will the Minister scotch any concerns we may have by confirming her name does not feature on the shortlist of candidates?

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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Were that the case, it would mean a substantial increase in salary. It is not envisaged that a bonus will be payable to the new chief executive. A decision was taken recently on the payment of bonuses in the public sector.