Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of appointments he has made from March 2011 to January 2013 to State boards; in the case of each appointment, the number of appointments that were made to members of the general public who submitted a curriculum vitae for the appointment; the number of direct appointments he made [11473/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Details of Membership of Boards and appointment dates can be downloaded from my Department's website, this information is updated when any relevant changes occur: www.education.ie. In accordance with Government policy, expressions of interest have been sought through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for appointment to the following boards of Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department: Leárgas Ltd – The Exchange Bureau; The Higher Education Authority (HEA); Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI); The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA); The State Examinations Commission (SEC); The Teaching Council; Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA); National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
Three appointments were made to the Board of Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS), these vacancies were not published on PAS. Appointments to the Board of FÁS were made after consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
It should be noted that Board appointments, while made by me as Minister, are not in all cases made at my sole discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute of the body concerned. The Deputy should further note that in making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills and competencies for the positions. The information requested on the number of appointments made from members of the public who applied through the PAS process is outlined in the attached table.