Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 5

Written Answers. - Gender Equality Policy.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

78 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Finance the progress made in the implementation of the recently launched Civil Service gender equality policy; the steps being taken to implement the objectives of the policy within the Department of Finance and the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5569/02]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The gender equality policy commits the Civil Service to equality of opportunity for men and women.

Under the policy Departments must set strategic objectives and equality goals for increasing women's representation at all levels, but in particular at the higher management grades where women are under represented. These objectives and goals are set out in departmental strategy statements.

To focus the policy the Government has set a target for the key assistant principal grade to ensure that there will be more women who can be promoted to senior levels. Departments must work to ensure that by 2005 as much as 33% of assistant principal posts are filled by women. At present women fill only 27% of these posts. The policy also requires Departments to set goals to deal with obstacles to career progression for women at all levels and to take initiatives in all the main human resource areas.

The equality unit in my Department is supporting other Departments with the implementation of the policy. Heads of Departments and offices have nominated officers with responsibility for gender equality. The equality unit will meet these nominated officers over the next few weeks with a view to assisting them in implementing the policy. The aim is to exchange ideas and to help each other in achieving our objectives in the gender equality area. The unit will prepare a short report for the information of Departments, outlining what has been done and suggesting what further steps might be taken.

Regarding my Department, targets have been set which, over the next five years and subject to the number of vacancies arising, should see the representation of women increasing from 28% to close to 35% in the AP grade and from 14% to close to 25% at the principal grade. A policy is being prepared for the Department which will address a wide range of equality issues.