Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a list of all appointments to State boards made by him, including any appointments to the position of chairperson shown separately; if the vacancies on the boards were publicly advertised; who out of any appointments made applied through the publicly advertised process, and the prospective nominees that went before the Oireachtas committee for questioning. [13308/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The table that follows this reply provides the relevant details of all appointments and reappointments made to bodies under the aegis of my Department since my appointment as Minister. The Deputy will note that I have made one new appointment as a chairperson, i.e. in respect of the Education Finance Board. It is anticipated that this newly appointed board will serve for a number of months pending the establishment of the new Residential Institutions Statutory Fund. Therefore this appointment is for a period of one year or until such time as the Statutory Fund is established, whichever is the earlier.

In accordance with Government policy, expressions of interest have been sought through the Public Appointments Service from suitably qualified and experienced people for consideration for appointment to the following boards of bodies that operate under the aegis of my Department: Leárgas Limited – the Exchange Bureau in December 2011; the Higher Education Authority in December 2011; the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (to be newly established) in December 2011; the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in February 2012; the State Examinations Commission (SEC) in February 2012; and the Teaching Council in February 2012. To date, two individuals who applied through PAS have been appointed to the Board of the HEA. Appointments have not yet been made to the other boards mentioned above.

Vacancies on other Boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that arise during 2012 will continue to be advertised on my Department's website. The Deputy should note that in making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills and competencies for the positions. Breakdown of appointments since March 2011

Note 1: The Further Education and Training Awards Council, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland are to be merged to form a new body to be known as the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland in the coming months.