Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health the reason just one person out of 40 who applied for a place on the board of the Health Information and Quality Authority was appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7504/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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In order to comply with the Government's Decision to widen the opportunity for board membership of State Bodies my Department invited expressions of interest, through the Public Appointments Service, from suitably qualified and experienced persons interested in being appointed to the Board of the Health Information and Quality Authority. As the Deputy will be aware, in making any board appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest through the Public Appointments Service.

I am proceeding with the appointment of new members to the Board of the Health Information and Quality Authority. In doing so I must have regard to the body or agency in question and its particular area of responsibility etc. as well as ensuring that the board members have an appropriate mix of skills and experience in such areas as corporate governance, legal expertise, financial expertise (with particular reference to audit capability and/or project assessment). Based on the above criteria I am selecting those most suitable to become Board Members of HIQA.