Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Nov 1994

Vol. 447 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - County Enterprise Boards Appointments.

Richard Bruton

Question:

88 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of permanent chief executives on the county enterprise boards that have been appointed to date; their method of selection; their duration of appointment; and their employment prior to taking up the position. [3558/94]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

On their establishment the county enterprise boards were invited to consider their staffing arrangements and to decide, in consultation with the relevant city and county managers, on the designation of acting chief executive officers for all boards pending arrangements for the legal incorporation of the new boards. I made it clear at that time that it was my intention to proceed with arrangements which would enable the chief executive officer positions in all 35 boards to be filled in due course on the basis of open recruitment.

The acting chief executive appointments have been filled on an interim basis by the county development secretaries in the former western development counties and from local authority staff who went on secondment to the boards in their own areas; in the case of the south Cork board, an acting chief executive was externally recruited on a temporary basis.

Arrangements for the recruitment and selection of chief executive officers can be put in place following the incorporation of the county enterprise boards. Progress is being made in this regard and, in addition, my Department is currently finalising the arrangements which will enable each county enterprise board, as it becomes incorporated, to hold an open competition to select a chief executive officer for its organisation. It is proposed that the duration of the contract to be offered by county enterprise boards in respect of the new appointments will not exceed three years.