Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 321: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of public appointments currently vacant and yet to be made by her Department. [1186/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Information on membership vacancies in statutory bodies, where appointments are made by the Minister for Health and Children, is shown in the following table. However, the Deputy should note that in some instances the relevant legislation may provide for a maximum number of members rather than setting an exact numerical membership requirement. The information contained in the table takes into account the full membership potential of the body.

The process by which a person is appointed to a State board or body reflects the conditions for the appointment laid down in the relevant statutory instrument or Act. Nominations under the aegis of my Department can arise in different ways. Some members are nominated by prescribed bodies, individual office holders or organisations and others are appointed by the Minister for Health and Children, having due regard to the nature of the work of the body and the consequent requirement for any appointee to hold the necessary skills and expertise required to discharge the functions of that particular body. The time required to appoint members therefore varies.

The work involved in the filling of board vacancies is ongoing in my Department at any given time and it is always my intention to fill these vacancies in a timely manner.