Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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235. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will appoint an appeals officer to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5359/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I made the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 (Commencement) Order 2014 (S.I. No 20 of 2014) on 28th January. This Order commenced sections 21 and 22 of the 2012 Act which provide for the appointment of an appeals officer and for the appeals process in relation to decisions of a decision maker of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board. On the same day I made the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (Appeals) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No 21 of 2014) which set out the procedures to be followed in appeals. I intend to appoint an appeals officer shortly.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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236. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will replace the member on the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board who resigned last November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5360/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As recently announced, I have appointed Mrs Frances Harrington to fill the vacancy on the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board following the resignation of Mr Paddy Doyle. Mrs Harrington's appointment is effective from 29th January until the expiry of the Board's four year term which commenced on 25 March 2013. At the same time, I announced my nomination of Mr David J O Callaghan as Chair of the Board following the Chair's indication that she intends to resign due to planned surgery which will limit her availability to perform the functions. I understand that Mr O'Callaghan will meet with Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection next week.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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237. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will appoint a freedom of information officer to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5361/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Section 27 of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 provides that the Freedom of Information Act 1997 applies to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board. From enquiries made by my officials to the Board, I understand that the Board has approved its FOI policy in compliance with the provisions of the FOI Acts. A member of the Board's staff has been appointed to deal with FOI requests and a dedicated email address (foi@caranua.ie) has been set up for the submission of requests.