Written answers

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Appointments to State Boards

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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443. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will itemise, in tabular form, the occasions on which his Department has engaged the services of external professional advice such as a company (details supplied) on the appointment of persons to State boards; if he will list the fees paid in respect of such services; the persons who were ultimately appointed on foot of advice received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4986/14]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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444. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he will identify any instances where a person appointed to a State board after recruitment advice was received from professional external consultants was subsequently deemed to be unqualified for the duties and responsibilities attached to the role; the costs incurred in obtaining advice in respect of each such instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5002/14]

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together.

My Department does not engage the company in question in respect of appointments to State Boards under its remit. All appointments to State Boards are made in accordance with the appropriate legislation governing appointments to each body. In some cases statutory selection procedures must be followed or nominations must be sought from independent nominating panels before appointments are made by the Minister or the Government, as appropriate. In a number of situations, only some appointments to the body concerned are made by the Minister, or appointments are made with the consent of another Minister.

My Department provides support to the company in order that it may continue to provide valuable assistance and expertise in the development of the community and voluntary sector by strengthening volunteer organisations’ boards and management committees. The company assists volunteer organisations in building links between corporate, public and not-for-profit sectors and encourages people from corporate and public sectors to sit on not-for-profit boards. It also enhances the skill sets on not-for-profit boards through the development of training packages and other supports for boards and board members.

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