Written answers

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Department of Children and Youth Affairs

Appointments to State Boards

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide in tabular form all appointments to State boards under her ambit since the Government took office; when the person was appointed; if the position entitles the holder to remuneration and if so the amount in each case; if the appointment was made in accordance with new procedures whereby Departments has to invite expressions of interest from the public in vacancies on the boards under their aegis. [45799/12]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances 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 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. Since my appointment on 9th March 2011 I have made 33 appointments to the Boards of Management under the aegis of my Department. I have set out in tabular format the number of Board appointments I have made since I was appointed as Minister in March 2011, together with details of the remuneration associated with each position on the Boards. The remuneration set out is the actual remuneration associated with the post for a full calendar year.

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.

National Educational Welfare Board

Board MemberDate of AppointmentAnnual remuneration
Nuala Doherty (Chair)30/07/12Does not receive fee
Brendan Broderick15/09/11Does not receive fee
Catherine Connery28/05/12Does not receive fee
Marian Jennings28/05/12Does not receive fee
Eamonn Flynn 15/09/11Does not receive fee – Staff Rep
Bob Dowling02/03/12Does not receive fee
Ruairí Gogan02/03/12Not applicable – Civil Servant
Mary Donnelly23/04/12Does not receive fee

Children Detention Schools

Board MemberDate of AppointmentAnnual remuneration
Joe Horan (Chair)26/03/12Fee waived
Gerard McKiernan26/03/12Not applicable – Public Sector
Ursula Kilkelly26/03/12Not applicable – Public Sector
Diego Gallagher26/03/12Fee waived
Sylda Langford26/03/12Fee waived
Pat Rooney26/03/12Fee waived
Elizabeth Howard26/03/12Fee waived
Colin Fetherston26/03/12Not applicable – Public Sector
Barry Rooney26/03/12Not applicable – Public Sector
Deirdre Keyes26/03/12Not applicable – Public Sector
Dan Kelleher26/03/12Not applicable – Civil Servant

Family Support Agency

Board MemberDate of AppointmentAnnual remuneration
Sharon Foley (Chair)26/03/12€8,978
Caroline Murphy16/04/12€5,985
Dick Hickey16/04/12€5,985
Dr. John Griffin30/04/12€5,985
Marie Fenlon16/04/12€5,985
Liz Chaloner30/01/12€5,985
Nuala Ryan30/11/12€5,985
Catherine Hazlett
(Resigned on 16/05/12 due to Departmental Restructure)
26/07/11 - 31/03/12
16/04/12 - 16/05/12
Not Applicable – Departmental Rep
Yvette O’Malley
(Resigned on 10/11/11)
01/09/11Not Applicable - Staff Rep
Marie Dullea11/07/12Not applicable – Departmental Rep
Catherine Downey Murphy11/07/12€0
Imelda Martin16/04/12Not applicable – Staff Rep
Dr. Nollaig Byrne08/02/12€0

Adoption Authority of Ireland

Board MemberDate of AppointmentAnnual remuneration
Dr. Imelda Ryan07/02/12€0

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of chairs of State boards that have been appointed since the Government came into office; if there is a remuneration for the position and if so the amount of same; if the appointee was required to go before Oireachtas Committees to discuss what they have to offer to the particular Board or Committee to which they are being appointed. [45815/12]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 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.

As the Deputy may be aware, in line with the Government decision of April 2011, new arrangements were put in place for the making of appointments to State Boards and bodies. Those who are being proposed for appointment as Chairpersons of State Boards are now required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee to discuss the approach they will take as Chairperson and their views about the future contribution of the body or board in question. Following that discussion, decisions would then be taken by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate, to confirm the nominee as Chairperson.Since my appointment as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on 9th March 2011, I have appointed 3 Chairpersons to the Boards of Management under the aegis of my Department.

Mr. Joe Horan, Chairperson designate for the Board of Management of the Children Detention Schools appeared before the Joint Committee on Health and Children on 8th March, 2012. I subsequently appointed Mr. Horan as Chairperson to the Board on 26th March, 2012. There is a fee of €5,985 per annum attached to the position of Chairperson. Mr. Horan agreed to waive this fee for his position as Chairperson to the Board.

Ms. Sharon Foley, Chairperson designate of the Board of Management of the Family Support Agency also appeared before the same Committee on 8th March, 2012. I subsequently appointed Ms Foley as Chairperson to the Board on 26th March, 2012. Ms. Foley is in receipt of remuneration of €8,978 per annum.

Ms. Nuala Doherty, Chairperson designate of the National Educational Welfare Board appeared before the Committee on 26th July, 2012. I subsequently appointed Ms. Doherty as Chairperson on 30th July, 2012. Ms. Doherty is not in receipt of any remuneration for her position as Chairperson to the Board.

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