Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the average age of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the number of directors on the board of more than one such body; the number of women; and her plans to make savings from this area. [12555/15]

Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of chairpersons and non-executive directors of State or partially owned State companies, of State bodies, of Semi-State bodies and of State agencies under the aegis of her Department on the State's payroll; the total cost to the State from the payout to these non-executive directors including fees, travel and other expenditure; her plans to reduce the number of these chairpersons or directors. [12605/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.

Comprehensive information in relation to the composition of the boards of non-commercial State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills, which includes the information requested by the Deputy (with the exception of the information in relation to the average age of chairpersons, which is not collated by my Department), can be downloaded from my Department's website at

Fees are paid to chairpersons and non-executive directors in accordance with the rates specified by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and relevant legislation as appropriate. As set out on my Department's website, currently the chairpersons of the Grangegorman Development Agency, the Higher Education Authority and Skillnets Ltd are in receipt of fees payable in accordance with the rate applicable to the category of agency, totalling €29,926 per annum. Travel and subsistence allowances are paid in accordance with Government guidelines and relevant legislation.

While the primary consideration in appointing members to State boards is to ensure that the appropriate skills and expertise are available to boards, in accordance with a Government Decision of July 2014, which reaffirms the commitment in the Programme for Government to increase gender balance on State boards, the Department has prepared a plan to reaffirm and achieve the target of at least 40% for representation of each gender on State Boards.

Under new Guidelines for Appointments to State Boards, which can be viewed on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's website www.per.gov.ie, the process for filling vacancies on State boards under the aegis of the Department, is now normally managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS), whereby applications are made through the dedicated website www.stateboards.ie. and an assessment process is undertaken by PAS leading to the creation of a list of candidates deemed suitable for appointment to boards. Compliance with the Government Decision of 23 July 2014 on Gender Balance on State Boards is an essential requirement of these Guidelines.

The Guidelines also provide that in accordance with best corporate governance practice it is advisable that no member of a State Board should hold appointments to more than two State Boards.