Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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578. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will report on the new procedures the Government have introduced for appointments to State boards. [3570/13]

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 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 is 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. Following this Government Decision, 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. My Department’s website is monitored and updated on a regular basis to reflect the number of vacancies as they arise.

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 made 35 appointments including 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.

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.