Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies advertised on the HEA board in 2016 that have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22324/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Nine vacancies on the Board of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) were advertised on StateBoards.ie the vacancies include:

- One Chairperson, and

- Eight Ordinary Members.

In line with Government policy on the filling of vacancies on State Boards, the application process for all of these vacancies was administered by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) through their dedicated websitewww.stateboards.ie.

Applications were invited through the Public Appointments Service process for the Chairperson and eight ordinary members from suitably qualified applicants with a demonstrable interest in the work of the HEA. The advertisement was published in December 2015 with the closing date for receipt of applications on 13 January 2016.

The State Boards assessment panel met during February and a shortlist of potentially appointable candidates has been put forward for my consideration. Appointments to the HEA Board are made by the Government on my recommendation.

Since the advertisement for vacancies was published, a further vacancy has arisen due to a resignation from the board in Q1 2016.I also intend to fill this vacancy from the candidates who responded to the advertisement published in December 2015.