40.—(1) The Chief Executive of the Service shall—

(a) manage and control generally the staff, administration and business of the Public Appointments Service, and

(b) perform such other functions that are conferred on him or her by or under this Act or as may be determined by the Board.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Chief Executive of the Service shall—

(a) be the recruitment licence holder for the Public Appointments Service,

(b) be responsible to the Board for the performance of his or her functions and the implementation of the Public Appointments Service's policies,

(c) draw up the strategic plan for the Public Appointments Service for consideration and approval by the Board before submitting it to the Minister,

(d) be the accounting officer for the appropriation accounts of the Public Appointments Service for the purposes of the Exchequer and Audit Departments Acts 1866 and 1921 and the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993,

(e) provide the Board with such information (including financial information) in relation to the performance of his or her functions as the Board may from time to time require,

(f) report periodically to the Board and, from time to time, advise the board on relevant issues,

(g) carry out his or her functions as the Head of the Scheduled Office under the Public Service Management Act 1997 (as amended by Part 1 of Schedule 2),

(h) undertake such other functions of the Public Appointments Service as may be determined by the Board,

(i) in respect of arrangements for competitions for the following posts being organised by the Public Appointments Service, to consult with the Secretary General of the Department of the State as indicated:

F18[(i) chief executive of a local authority, the Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government,]

(ii) chief executive officer of a health board — the Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children, and

F19[(iii) the chief executive of an education and training board — the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Skills.]

(3) Such of the functions of the Chief Executive of the Service as may from time to time be specified by him or her may, with the consent of the Board, be performed by such member of the staff of the Public Appointments Service as may be authorised by the Chief Executive.

(4) The functions of the Chief Executive of the Service may be performed during his or her absence or when the position of Chief Executive is vacant by such member of the staff of the Public Appointments Service as may from time to time be designated for that purpose by the Board.