Vol. 440 No. 5
4 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure that the allocation of Structural Funds will be gender proofed; the monitoring arrangements, if any, he has set in place to ensure that distribution and administration of these funds by Departments honours the Government's commitment to achieving full equality for women in Irish society.
41 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure that women participate in projects under the Structural funds; if his officials have had consultations in the matter with their counterparts in other Departments; the percentage of Structural Funds that will be spent on childcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 41 together.
As these questions deal with Structural Fund matters they are appropriate for the Minister for Finance.
Deputy Keogh said that the answer to the previous question beat Banagher, what does this one do? I wish to draw the Minister's attention to the fact that on 6 July 1993 he answered almost exactly the same question. Does he recall that he assured the House that what happened in relation to the Social Fund between 1989 and 1993 when Ireland had the lowest rate of women's involvement in social funded programmes would not happen again? What measures has he taken since 6 July 1993 to implement that promise? He said he would ensure proper monitoring by other Ministers.
I must dissuade the Deputy from quoting at Question Time.
I am not quoting, Sir.
It is not in order. It seems to the Chair that the Deputy is quoting.
I assure you I am not quoting. What I am saying is correct. The Minister assured the House he would put arrangements in place to ensure proper monitoring by other Ministers. What has he done to implement those specific promises?
If Deputy Currie studied the national plan, he would see that it contains gender matters which were included largely at the instigation of my Department. The operation and administration of the national plan is a matter for the Minister for Finance. All debates and discussions in connection with it are taken by the Minister for Finance and the Deputy is well aware of that.
Why then did the Minister give the House those assurances?
I assure the Deputy, and the House, that my Department consults with the Department of Finance, which has responsibility for the administration of the national plan, and other Departments involved in the spending of moneys under the national plan on the gender issue. The administration of the funds and the plan, as every Deputy knows or ought to know, is carried out by the Minister for Finance who will be glad to answer any questions. My Department continues to have consultations not only with the Department of Finance——
Why can the Minister not have a word with the Minister for Finance?
Let us hear the Minister.
——but with the other Departments who have spending objectives under the plan.
Why did the Minister enter into commitments if he has no responsibility in the matter?
