Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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231. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if experience and-or qualifications in general corporate governance were considered during the recent selection process for a new chair of Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4836/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Yes. I appointed Mr Pat Rabbitte as Chairperson of the Board of Tusla following an advertisement and selection process run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in accordance with Government Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.

The role of Chairperson of the Board of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was advertised on the PAS website on 30 October, 2018. The information booklet in relation to the role placed a strong emphasis on high standards in corporate governance. The advertisement outlined that the Chairperson would be responsible for leadership of the Board of Tusla and ensuring its effectiveness on all aspects of its role. It was stipulated that the individual appointed would lead on the strategic direction and corporate governance of Tusla. 

The advertisement also sought candidates with a career history at a sufficiently senior level in a complex organisation of scale, or equivalent experience, which would demonstrate strong leadership skills, including the ability to ensure that the Board of Tusla guides, challenges and supports the CEO and executive team to deliver major reform, whilst holding them to account in doing so.

As Minister, I meet the Chairperson and other representatives of the Board on a regular basis. It is the role of the Chairperson to utilise the range of skills of Board members appropriately. Since becoming Minister, I have appointed a number of members to the Board of Tusla and, in so doing, I have paid particular attention to ensuring that the Board composition has an appropriate mix of necessary experience and skills to enable it to discharge its important functions. A number of members of the Board of Tusla have qualifications and experience in the field of corporate governance, both in the public and private sectors.

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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232. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there has been a change in terms of departmental or Tusla policy regarding meetings between the chief executive or the chief operating officer at Tusla and key stakeholders such as elected representatives and members of advocacy groups. [4837/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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My Department does not have a policy regarding meetings between the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Operations Officer of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and key stakeholders. Tusla's policy in relation to engagement of its officers with stakeholders is an operational matter for Tusla.