Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of appointments that have been made to positions available on the boards of semi-State companies and statutory agencies following public advertisement; if she will provide details of the names of persons who have been appointed under this initiative and the agencies on which they now sit [40030/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools (CDS) as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.

Apart from the Ombudsman for Children's Office which does not have a board, I am responsible for all Board of Management appointments. In line with the Government Decision of April 2011, on my Department's website I have invited expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under the Department's aegis. The notice indicates the vacancies in the boards of the respective bodies. My officials acknowledge all expressions of interest received and maintain a database of those expressions.

In making my decisions on appointments to Boards, subject to the governing legislation, I consider the most suitable persons for the positions available with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities and I seek to ensure that the appropriate mix of skills and experience is in place to achieve the best result. My Department’s website is monitored and updated on a regular basis to reflect the number of vacancies as they arise.

Since my appointment on 9th March, 2011 I have made 33 appointments to Boards of Management under the aegis of my Department. Of the total amount of appointments to the Boards, I can confirm that there have been 8 appointments to the Board of the NEWB, 13 appointments to the Board of the FSA, 1 appointment to the Board of the AAI and 11 appointments to the Board of the CDS. I have set out on tabular format below, the names of persons whom I have appointed to the boards which come under the aegis of my Department.

National Educational Welfare Board

Children Detention Schools

Family Support Agency

Adoption Authority of Ireland

Board Member

Dr. Imelda Ryan