Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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906. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if all vacancies (details supplied) are advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19810/21]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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908. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if any person can apply for a position (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19865/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 906 and 908 together.

The only State body under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board. The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The Act specifies that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners, one of whom must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.

The chairman and the non military ordinary member positions are advertised through the Public Appointments Service, which uses the Stateboards.ie website, as they arise. These positions are open to all suitably qualified applicants and there is not a requirement to be a retired public servant to apply. Appointments are made by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.