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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 12 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Policies.

Helen Keogh

Question:

88 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for the Environment the mechanisms used by his Department to ensure that policies, programmes and decisions are proofed to assess their impact on women; the training available to those officials responsible for gender proofing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6997/97]

Helen Keogh

Question:

89 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for the Environment the initiatives, if any, taken by his Department in 1995 and 1996 which were targeted at women; the budget allocated to each initiative; the actual amount spent on each; the budget for his Department in each of the years 1995 and 1996; and the amount of that budget exclusive of direct staffing and overhead costs. [7013/97]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.

While no specific gender proofing training is provided in my Department, I am satisfied that, in the development of policies, programmes and decisions, proper account is taken of their impact on women and of the Government's general policy objectives in the matter.

Expenditure by my Department relates mainly to the provision by local authorities of various economic, social and environmental infrastructure programmes, and is not, therefore, aimed specifically at either women or men. Many of the recent iniatives, such as those related to social housing, would, of course, have a direct and positive impact on the lives of many women.

My Department actively promotes women's equality issues in the broader local authority context. An Equality Working Group, comprising representatives from the Department and the City and County Managers, was established in 1995 to review equality matters in local authorities, and continues to meet regularly. Better Local Government — A Programme for Change also addresses the position of women in local authorities, and sets out a strategy for dealing with gender imbalance in relation to appointments and promotion.
Details of my Department's budget for 1995 and 1996, including its staffing and overhead costs, are published in the Revised Estimates for Public Services, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library.
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