Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 1

Written Answers. - Employment Equality Measures.

Liz McManus

Question:

116 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, being taken to address the low level of compliance by State companies with employment equality measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19736/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

My Department published a report of a survey of equal opportunities in semi-State bodies on Tuesday, 5 October 1999. The survey is the third survey commissioned to monitor progress in relation to equal opportunities in the State sponsored sector. The evidence of the survey is that, in general, little progress has been made in the sector since the 1993 survey which related to 1990 data.

Arising from the survey, I have asked the Equality Authority designate to act as a locus for facilitating the systemic change required in many of our State bodies, if equality of opportunity is to begin to become a reality. I will be communicating the results of the survey to my ministerial colleagues in the case of each State sponsored body under the aegis of their Departments. I have arranged also for officials to give performance feedback to State sponsored bodies on an individual basis.

The primary responsibility for implementing and progressing the equality agenda at the level of each State sponsored body rests with the body itself. The work which requires to be done calls for resources of expertise, personnel and funding. It is clear that quite a few of our State bodies have yet to devote the resources needed to advance equality in their workplaces. Others may need to give more priority to equal opportunities policies as part of their strategic management plans. The specifics of any new process will fall to be worked out between interested State enterprises and the Equality Authority. My Department will ensure that progress continues to be monitored and reviewed until we have effective equal opportunities policies and practices in place in our State bodies.