Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Apr 1993

Vol. 429 No. 7

Written Answers. - Women on Semi-State Boards.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

62 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will give a list of the semi-State boards under his aegis where the 40 per cent quota of women has been adhered to by the Government since it accepted the recommendations of the first statement of the Commission on the Status of Women in April, 1991; and if he will further list the boards where the quota has fallen below 40 per cent.

Minister for Social Welfare (Dr. Woods)

There are two statutory agencies under the control of my Department, namely the Combat Poverty Agency and the Pensions Board.

Fifty per cent of members of the Combat Poverty Agency are women (6 out of 12) while over 38 per cent of the Pensions Board are women, including the Chairperson (5 out of 13).

I would point out that most members of the Pensions Board are representative of interest groups or organisations who nominate their own members.

In the filling of any vacancies on these agencies within my own discretion, full consideration will be given to the appointment of women, as it has been in the past. Where nominating organisations are concerned I would expect them to do likewise.

The non-statutory National Pensions Board, which preceded the Pensions Board is still in existence and is completing its final report to me on pension matters. When this report, which is expected shortly, is completed the Board will be disbanding. There is one woman on this Board.