443. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide in tabular form the number of appointments to State boards under his Department's remit made from March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit from March 2011 to date; the number of vacancies on State boards under his Department's remit publically advertised from March 2011 to date; and the number of appointments to State boards under his remit drawn directly from the public advertisement process. [29185/14]

My Department was established on 2 June 2011 and the Deputy will appreciate that the information sought by him can only be provided from that date. The information requested by the Deputy regarding appointments to State Boards in the bodies funded from my Department's Vote Group since 2 June 2011 to date is set out in the table. My Department seeks expressions of interest from the public by advertising on my Department's website. As Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, in making such appointments I am not restricted to giving sole consideration to those who have responded to publicly advertised invitations to submit expressions of interest. I can also approach candidates who, in my view, may have a contribution to make and be willing to serve. In the case of certain bodies, board appointments may also be made by the bodies themselves or on an ex officio basis.

It may also be noted also that appointments to the boards of Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency, being agencies of the North South Implementation Body - An Foras Teanga, are made by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC), arising from nominations on a 50:50 basis from each jurisdiction.

Appointments

Appointments

* Responsibility for the Censorship of Publications Board and Censorship of Publications Appeals Board transferred from the Department of Justice and Equality to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in June 2013