Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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135. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the appointment of members to fill the vacancies on the Council of Gaisce, the President’s Award, some of which have existed for over a year; his views regarding the precedent for having a previous award recipient on the council; on youth participation in decision making in this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9095/16]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Gaisce is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs appoints members to the Council of Gaisce.

I am advised that there are six vacancies at this time. A number of reappointments and appointments were made in 2015. Officials of my Department and Gaisce are engaging with the Public Appointments Service in relation to the identification of suitably qualified candidates for appointment to the Council.

In line with the 2014 Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, Gaisce has identified the competencies and experiences and skills that are most needed on the Council at this time. Gaisce is committed to ensuring that young people have the greatest opportunity possible to apply for appointment, including those who have been award recipients in the past or have experience of the Gaisce programme.

The Public Appointments Service, Gaisce and officials from my Department recently met to discuss this matter. Gaisce restated at this meeting that a priority from their perspective was allowing young people the greatest opportunity possible to apply for appointment to the Council. I welcome Gaisce's commitment to ensuring young people have the opportunity to apply for appointment which is in keeping with the National Strategy on Children and Young People's participation in decision making. The Public Appointments Service are currently working to revise the draft advertisement booklet following that meeting with the expectation that it will be agreed in the coming weeks. Gaisce and the Public Appointments Service will then make a decision as to when the positions should be advertised so as to optimise the number of young people and others who will apply.