Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn): The information requested is
included for the Deputy’s information. It should be noted that Board appointments, while
made by me, as Minister, are not in all cases made at my sole discretion. Individuals may be
nominated for appointment by various organisations as specified in the relevant statute of the
body concerned.
The Deputy may also wish to note that my Department has recently corresponded with
survivors groups seeking nominations for the new Board of the Education Finance Board
(EFB). This Board will effectively be a caretaker board which will serve for a number of
months pending the establishment of the Statutory Fund. It is envisaged that the new Fund
will assume the functions of the Board and the Board will be dissolved when the fund is set up.
Last December, in accordance with Government policy, expressions of interest were sought
from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for appointment to the following
boards of Bodies operating under (or will operate under) my Department’s aegis:
• Leárgas Ltd — The Exchange Bureau
• The Higher Education Authority
• The Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (to be newly
established) Interested applicants were advised to register an Expression of Interest
through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) with a closing date for receipt of
applications of 10th January 2012. No appointments have been made to date.
Last week expressions of interest were sought from suitably qualified and experienced persons
for consideration for appointment to the following boards:
• The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)
• The State Examinations Commission (SEC)
• The Teaching Council Note: In respect of the SEC no fees will be applicable to the
new Commission.
Vacancies on other Boards of Bodies under the aegis of my Department that arise during 2012
will continue to be advertised on my Department’s website. The Deputy should note that in
making any direct Ministerial appointments, I am not necessarily confined to those who make
such expressions of interest but will ensure that all of those appointed have the relevant skills
and competencies for the positions.
Breakdown of appointments since March 2011
Agency Name Number Names Remuneration Notes
Appointments /re-
Fees p.a. (other
appointments
than standard
expenses)
Foras Áiseanna 1 appointment Mr. Michael €11,790 Mr. Moriarty, who is General
Saothair Moriarty Secretary of the IVEA, was
appointed in July 2011
because of his expertise in
the area of Vocational
Education which will be
particularly useful in the
context of the future
integration of the FÁS
training division and the
VECs and the creation of
SOLAS, the new further
education and training
authority.