Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of positions on State boards and agencies under her aegis which she has advertised in the past seven months; the number of applications received; the number of applicants subsequently appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34511/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, namely the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department but it does not have a board. No appointment has been made to either the board of the Social Welfare Tribunal or to the Pensions Board in the last seven months.

An appointment was made to the Citizens Information Board in September. When this vacancy arose a public request for expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced individuals was made. Some 172 applications were received and an appointment was made following a rigorous selection process in accordance with the legislation governing appointments to such a board. Details of current board members and appointments are available on the Department's website at www.welfare.ie/EN/AboutUs/Pages/stateagencies.aspx.