Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the recruitment of the next chief executive of the Health Service Executive; the number of candidates that have expressed interest in same; the time line for the interview process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6919/10]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if the salary of the new chief executive in the Health Service Executive will be less than that paid to the current post holder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6925/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 73 together.

The Board of the Health Service Executive have 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. In that context, 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 I cannot, therefore, supply the details sought by the Deputy. The intention is that the process will be complete in time for an orderly hand-over 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 rate of remuneration for the next CEO will fall to be determined once the recruitment process currently being conducted by the HSE Board is complete. The terms and conditions for the post, including salary, require the approval of the Minister for Health and Children and the consent of the Minister for Finance.