Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details in respect of the number and names of all semi-State companies and statutory agencies under the remit of his Department; if he will provide a list of all members of the board of such organisations for the years 2007 to 2011, inclusive; if he will provide a list of all expenses associated with membership of these boards on an individual basis for the relevant years; if he will provide information relating to the profession or occupation of all such members of the relevant State companies and statutory agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13503/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The information requested by the Deputy for the years 2007-2010 is not centrally collated within my Department and it would require a substantial amount of administrative time to identify and extract the full range of details sought. It is the case that much of the information requested on Board memberships for bodies under the aegis of my Department is available in annual reports and other documents published by various bodies. Many of these reports are available in the Oireachtas Library or can be downloaded from the websites of the bodies concerned.

In respect of 2011 the following information is available in the following table:

The Name (and website details) of the Bodies under the aegis of my Department

The names of Board Members per Board as of 31st December 2011.

Remuneration Fees applicable to Board Members (2011)

Total expenses paid to Board Members – excluding fees (2011).

While my Department does not keep details relating to the profession or occupation of all Board members of each body under the aegis of my Department the Deputy should note that Board members are appointed in line with relevant legislation (were appropriate). In addition all individuals who hold designated directorships in public bodies prescribed by regulation for the purposes of the Ethics legislation must comply with the relevant provisions of the legislation. Compliance with the Ethics Act is deemed to be a condition of appointment.

Note 1: The Chairperson of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse (CICA) is a member of the judiciary who is not paid by the CICA. The ordinary members of the Commission, who were all salaried, are not currently, and were not in 2011, on the payroll.

Note 2: In 2011 the Chairperson of the RIRB, as a member of the judiciary, was not paid by the RIRB while the Chairperson of the RIRC was paid an annual salary for a Supreme Court judge subject to abatement to take account of his pension. From October 2011 the Chairperson of the RIRC took a 50% voluntary reduction in salary. The other board members of both the RIRB and the RIRC are paid a per diem rate and pension abatement applies in the case of members receiving a pension from the State. The per diem rate from 1st January 2011 was €668 per day.

Note 3: The Teaching Council has been self-financing since March 2008.