Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 129 of 3 March, 2010 if he will give details of the right qualities required of the chairperson of FÁS; the measures taken to ensure that the person in question had the required qualities; and the discussions that took place in connection with the appointment. [14973/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The appointment of the Chair and other members of the FÁS Board followed an open call for expressions of interest, which elicited over 120 responses. In accordance with the Labour Services (Amendment) Act, 2009, to qualify for appointment, persons must have had experience of and expertise in matters connected with · the functions of FÁS, or · finance, trade, commerce, corporate governance or public administration. Following consideration of these responses and consultation with the Minister for Education and Science and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, the new Board was appointed by the Tánaiste and then Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in January 2010.

The background of the current chair, a former Senior Director of Bristol Myers Squibb, with particular experience in commerce and corporate governance adds to the wider mix of skills and experience on the new Board.