Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government since the Government was formed, the number of vacancies in State boards that have been filled by his Department without advertising the availability of the positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17042/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The information requested is outlined in the table.

A notice was placed on my Department's website on 19 July, 2011 seeking expressions of interest, from suitably qualified and experienced persons, for consideration as members or chairpersons of the boards of state bodies under the aegis of my Department. The notice is updated regularly as specific vacancies arise. However, expressions of interest can be made at any time and will be kept on file in my Department for consideration as vacancies occur.

All appointments are made in accordance with the appropriate legislation governing appointments to each body. In considering applications due regard is and to Government policy regarding gender balance on State Boards.

A number of different statutory processes are involved in appointments to State boards. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Government or by the Minister. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The Boards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and An Bord Pleanála are executive in nature and members are employed on a full time salaried basis. The appointments as Chairperson of An Bord Pleanála and Director General of the EPA were made after competitions held by the Public Appointments Service.

The Chair of the Board for the Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency (HSCA) has been re-appointed on an interim basis pending enactment of legislation in respect of the HSCA.

The following members were appointed to the Board of Pobal, a not for profit company under the aegis of my Department, by Government:

· Mr. Séamus Boland (Chair)

· Mr. Thomas Maguire

· Mr. Liam Keane

· Ms. Siobhan McLoughlin

· Ms. Jennifer McHugh

· Mrs. Mari Hurley

Article 3 of the Articles of Association of Pobal requires the Minister to consider nominations received from a list of stakeholders and the Social Partners defined by Government in 2005. The list comprises:

National Social Partners

- Social Partners party to the Sustaining Progress Agreement; and

Stakeholders

- Area and Community Partnership,

- County childcare Committees, and

- City and County Managers Association.

A consultation process was conducted in June/July 2011 and the Minister considered 22 nominations received from the Stakeholders and the National Social Partners in bringing forward proposals to Government for the appointments to the vacant positions on the board.