Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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8. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason the board of the Citizens Information service remains incomplete since spring 2015, following the end of tenure of several board members; if she is aware of this situation; if she will explain the way board decisions have been made, without the appropriate quorum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35211/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The legislative provisions governing membership of the Citizens Information Board are contained in the Comhairle Act 2000, the Citizens Information Act 2007, and the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011. The legislation provides for a quorum of 8, or such lesser number (being not less than 5) as the Board may from time to time determine.

On 3^rdMarch 2015, eight vacancies, including that of Chairperson, arose on the Citizens Information Board due to the expiration of existing terms of appointment. As the Board did not then have a quorum no Board decisions were made.

Since that date, I have made a number of appointments to the Board, including that of Chairperson. As a result, there are currently eight board members on the Board of the Citizens Information Board (CIB).

Arrangements are underway to fill the remaining seven vacancies in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, which were issued in November 2014 and the required legislative provisions.