Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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57. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if will review the efficacy of the Public Appointment Services in view of both the protracted appointment of the Shannon Group chairperson which has taken 13 months to date coupled with another fact (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45426/21]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Following a Government decision in 2014 in relation to reforms to the State Boards appointments process, appointments have been advertised openly on the State Boards portal www.stateboards.ie, which is operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).

Appointments should meet specific and detailed criteria which are determined by the relevant Minister as necessary for the effective performance of the relevant role. Appointments should also be processed by way of a transparent assessment system, designed and implemented by PAS, to support the relevant Minister in making appointments to State Boards under their remit.

I believe that the PAS has played an important role in achieving greater openness in the appointments process to State Boards in recent years, and delivering increased transparency regarding the selection process. I understand that PAS has also been successful in developing a diverse and highly experienced pool of people who are willing to contribute to the assessment process as members of Assessment Panels.

While it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the details of a recruitment process which has been undertaken by PAS on behalf of another Minister, my official undertake regular governance and budgetary meetings with PAS, and I have asked them to follow up on this issue, and whether there are any lessons that can be applied into the future. More generally, I understand that since 2014 PAS has provided Ministers with names of 3,784 high calibre candidates who are suitable for appointment to State Boards.