Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1428. To ask the Minister for Health the list of all vacancies that existed on 26 February 2016 and all positions that have arisen since included the date it became vacant for State boards or governing bodies under his control; the names of those appointed since the Government was formed; if the position was advertised and a shortlist provided to him by the Public Appointments Service; if the appointments were approved by the Cabinet; the positions under his control which are not subject to the PAS system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26085/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The nomination and appointment process for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform relating to the advertising for expressions of interest in vacancies on State Boards, my Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation.

The following tables set out the information requested by the Deputy:

Table of Appointments since the Government was formed

List of Vacancies to be Filled

The Hospital Group Boards have been set up on an administrative basis. In relation to Hospital Group Board appointments, Chairs are in place for all Hospital Group Boards, and Board members were appointed to three out of seven hospital groups - Saolta University Healthcare Group, University of Limerick Hospitals Group (UL) and the Children’s Hospital Group. The terms of office of the Saolta University Healthcare Group and University of Limerick Hospital Group Boards are due to expire soon. Given the scale of the change process involved in implementing Hospital Groups, the Hospital Group Boards must be populated with individuals with the expertise and competencies necessary to deliver on the strategic and change management agenda. My Department has, through the Public Appointments Service, just advertised for expressions of interest in the position of Chairperson of the Saolta University Healthcare Group. It will shortly seek expressions of interest for members of the UL Hospitals Group Board and other Hospital Group Boards thereafter, excluding the Children's Hospital Group, and I expect to be in a position to start appoint Board members in the coming months.