Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health the system currently being used by him to appoint professionals, citizens and applicants to various boards under his responsibility; if he will compare this to those who were appointed by the previous administrations for the past 14 years; the system that was used by previous Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40800/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In line with Government Decisions of last year relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service, are currently advertising for Board vacancies under the aegis of this Department as they arise. To date, where feasible and where time has permitted, Board vacancies have been advertised through the PAS. Generic competencies needed to be developed and agreed and these are then customised as necessary for specific Boards, depending on their requirements. The suitability of applicants is assessed against these criteria and a short-list is compiled from which I may make appointments. Appointments may not necessarily be from one of the applications received through the advertising process, which is also in line with the Government Decisions.

While I am not in a position to comment on the appointments made by administrations heretofore, I can say that I am confident that the appointments made by me are contributing in a meaningful way to the important work undertaken by the various State bodies under the aegis of this Department.