Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress to date in relation to overhauling the system of appointments to State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2732/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that in September 2014 the Government agreed to introduce a new system for State Board Appointments. The Decision, building on the earlier 2011 Decision, required my Department to prepare Guidelines on a new process to be agreed by Government.

The Guidelines were approved by Government in November 2014 and seek to provide good practice rules around the implementation of the Decision, which has at its core three key principles:

- promote wider access to opportunities on State Boards;

- put in place detailed and comprehensive criteria for those roles; and

- introduce transparent and rigorous assessment of candidates against these criteria.

The Guidelines clarify which positions on Boards they apply to and change the process around Ministerial appointments of individuals to State Boards.

The new arrangements provide for a robust selection system operated independently by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) with selection being based on objective criteria. The new arrangements will ensure that candidates recommended for appointment have the skills and competencies required to carry out their duties on a State board. 

Under the new system for appointments to State Boards, the specific requirements identified for board roles will be published as well as information illustrating the knowledge, skills, experience and expertise possessed by appointees conforming to those requirements. 

Applications are welcome from people who believe they have the relevant skills and experience to join a State Board, barring any disqualifications that may apply under legislative provision. Persons interested in serving on a board should apply via the State Boards portal run by PAS at .

The Guidelines are at .