Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Education and Skills

Appointments to State Boards

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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240. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide in tabular form the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made since March 2011; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit since March 2011; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publically advertised since March 2011; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [29189/14]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The information requested on the number of appointments made to State boards in the last three years is outlined in the attached table.

The Deputy should note 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.

Vacancies on other boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that arise will continue to be advertised on my Department's website and at www.publicjobs.ie. 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.

Name of BoardNumber of appointments made to state boards since 2011Number of positions advertised over which the Minister can directly appoint [Note 1]Appointments made from members of the public who applied through the PAS processYear appointments made
An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)2002012
An Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS)3 [Note 2]002011/2013
Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA)15732012
Higher Education Authority (HEA)10922012
Irish Research Council14002012
Léargas12902012/2013
National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE)12102013
National Council for Curriculum & Assessment (NCCA)26 [Note 3]322012 (25) and 2013 (1)
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)141322013
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)10832012
Skillnets Ltd4002011/2012
State Examinations Commission (SEC)5522012
Teaching Council37302012
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS)13992013
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF)10 [Note 4]94 [Note 4]2013
Residential Institution Redress Board (RIRB)----
Residential Institution Review Committee (RIRC)----
Education Finance Board (EFB)---See [Note 5]
Note 1: Appointments, while made by the Minister, are not in all cases made at his sole discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute of the body concerned.

Note 2: Two interim appointments were made to the Board of Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FÁS) in January 2013 pending the dissolution of the body in October 2013.  Accordingly, these vacancies were not published on PAS. Appointments to the Board of FÁS were made following consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.

Note 3: The 25 member NCCA was appointed in 2012 with one resignee being replaced in November 2013.

Note 4: Following the resignation of an appointee, the consequential vacancy was filled by a person who had submitted an experession of interest to PAS.   A further two appointees applied directly to the Department.

Note 5: The existing members of the Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB) and the Residential Institutions Review Committee (RIRC) were re-appointed in December 2011 for a period of two years and again in December 2013 for a further period of 5 months or until such time as the bodies have completed their work, whichever is the sooner.   The Chairperson of the RIRB is paid an annual salary equivalent to the President of the Circuit Court (in February 2012) subject to pension abatement while the Chairperson of the RIRC is paid an annual salary equivalent to a Supreme Court Judge subject to pension abatement. Since October 2011 the Chairperson has taken a 50% voluntary reduction in salary.  The other board members of both the RIRB and the RIRC are paid a per diem rate and pension abatement applies in the case of members receiving a pension from the State. The per diem rate from 1st January 2014 is €624. 

The final membership of the Education Finance Board (EFB) were appointed in February 2012 for a one year term or until the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) was established whichever was the earlier.   The RISF was established and the EFB dissolved in March 2013. The 9 member Board consisted of a Chairperson, four former residents of institutions and four ordinary members.  The views of survivor groups and other interested parties were sought on appointments of former resident members of the Board.  The members were not remunerated.

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