Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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233. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies on the Higher Education Authority board; the duration of these vacancies; the process by which these vacancies will be filled; the timeframe for this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30020/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The HEA Board currently comprises a Chairperson and 12 ordinary members. This includes two members who were reappointed to the Board on 20 June.

The Minister is also inviting expressions of interest, through the Public Appointments Service, for a further two academic members. This application process is currently underway and the closing date for expressions of interest is 7 July.

Once these positions are filled, the Board of the HEA will comprise a Chair and 7 academic and 7 non-academic members. This satisfies the minimum number of Board members statutorily provided for under the HEA Act, 1971.

I am satisfied that the Board of the HEA is functioning effectively. However, in general, I am in favour of keeping state boards as small as possible and I will be looking to provide, through future legislation, for a reduced minimum size of the HEA Board.