Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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275. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are vacancies on the board of the NUI; the process on the way in which these vacancies are normally filled; if his Department is involved in this process; when he expects the vacant positions to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21319/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 4 vacancies on the Senate of the National University of Ireland (NUI) which are nominated by the Government under Section 45(2) of the Universities Act.

As the Senate of NUI is not considered a State Board, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is not involved in the process for filling the vacant positions.

In such cases my Department is responsible for undertaking the recruitment process which involves undertaking an advertising campaign to seek applications from interested persons from which suitable candidates will be selected, based on qualifying criteria. I will then select from the shortlisted candidates 4 potential nominees to bring forward for Government approval.

The recruitment process is underway in my Department with a view to having the positions filled as soon as possible. The Deputy will appreciate that it is important to follow a rigorous process to ensure the best calibre of candidates are selected for the positions.