Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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632. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if the appointment of the chair of the Housing Agency will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5825/18]

Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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Dr Conor Skehan was due to step down from the role of Chair of the Housing Agency at the end of his term (31 December 2017). In anticipation of this vacancy, the required State Boards appointment process under the Public Appointments Service (PAS) was initiated by my Department during 2017. Two potential candidates were identified, following an extensive process. Prior to making an appointment, both candidates then indicated that they were no longer in a position to take up the post.

My Department is currently in the process of identifying a suitable replacement. In the meantime, I have asked Dr Skehan to stay on as Chair until a replacement has been appointed. In line with Dr Skehan’s own request, this appointment has been made on a temporary basis for one year (until 31 December 2018). Dr Skehan has indicated that he will step down as soon as a suitable replacement has been identified. My Department will then make the necessary arrangements to appoint a replacement for Dr Skehan as soon as a suitably qualified candidate has been identified.