Wanted: Education and Skills Authority Board Members

The Department of Education has launched a public competition to recruit members to the Board of the new Education and Skills Authority (ESA).

The ESA, which will be established from 1 January 2010, will replace the five Education and Library Boards and the functions currently performed by the Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment and the Youth Council. It will also take on the front-line support and related functions currently undertaken by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education and Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta. Some of the functions currently performed by the Staff Commission for the Education and Library Boards will be absorbed into the Authority while others will no longer be required. Some functions from within the Department of Education will also transfer to ESA.

Education Minister Caitríona Ruane said: “The establishment of the Education and Skills Authority next January will see the most fundamental reform of the administration of education in more than 30 years. It is important to appoint members to the Board of the ESA who can contribute to the education of children and young people and help deliver the aims, objectives, targets and actions set for ESA by the Department of Education.

“The majority of Board members will be councillors and we will be writing to all councillors to make them aware of this competition. The remaining Board members will be drawn from the general public who will be invited to apply through public advertisements. In both cases, appointments will follow interviews and selection based on merit and will be in line with guidelines issued by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

“This is an exciting opportunity for anyone who is interested in education and feels they can help improve our education system to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”

Notes to Editors:

1. ESA Board members will be required to be available 5 days per month, including some evenings. Remuneration will be £8,800 per annum.

2. Full details of the application details and essential criteria is available on the Department of Education website.

3. Media queries, contact the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9701. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.