asked the Taoiseach if he is aware of a report published by the Council for the Status of Women which shows that only 10 per cent of the membership of the boards of semi-State companies are women and that 33 of the country's semi-State companies have never had a woman on their boards of management; if he has any plans to increase the numbers of women on these boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Women Board Members.
1.
The information in the report in question is based on a questionnaire sent to State-sponsored bodies between mid-January and mid-February 1985. It shows that out of a total number of 1,261 persons on these boards at that time 10.8 per cent were women. The total number of Government appointments involved in this number was 862 persons, or 68.3 per cent and of this number 11.9 per cent were women.
It is a source of concern to me that the overall percentage of women is low and that many key State-sponsored bodies do not have and never have had women on their boards. The procedure for State board appointments is currently being reviewed and particular attention will be paid to this aspect.
Will the Taoiseach indicate how many vacancies exist at present on these semi-State companies? Will he say if he has any plans to ensure that a reasonable proportion of such vacancies will be filled by qualified women?
I could not indicate the number. Probably there are very few actual vacancies but there is always a number of appointments due to be made in the immediately foreseeable future. I have not the exact number. I am concerned about the position. A general review is taking place of State board appointments and, in addition, other steps have been taken. The Minister of State for Women's Affairs in my Department ensures that where a vacancy arises on the board of a State body and where the appointment is one where the Government or the relevant Minister have a function they are furnished with the names of suitable candidates to be considered for appointment.
The Minister's office are building up a register of women available for appointment to boards and this register, together with that compiled by the National Women's Talent Bank, is proving of considerable practical use to Ministers when vacancies arise. I would also refer the Deputy to the recently published working party report prepared under the Chairmanship of the Minister of State for Women's Affairs entitled "Irish Women — Agenda for Practical Action" which covers this area in depth. The regulations made with regard to women on State boards will provide an important base for future policy in this area. As is evident from the figures given in my reply to the question, about one-third of the appointments are not made by the Government or Ministers directly but are made by nominating bodies. I am proposing that Ministers would ask these bodies, whose record is less good than that of the Government, to have due regard for a balance between the sexes in their nominations to State bodies. Some Ministers have done this already.