Vol. 512 No. 1
122 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he will take to ensure a better gender balance in primary school principalships, senior inspectors, divisional inspectors and primary district inspectors, in view of the recent report by the INTO showing that men still hold the overwhelming majority of these posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25367/99]
The appointment of a primary school principal is a matter for the managerial authority of the school.
The constitution of boards and rules of procedure for boards of management which boards adhere to in making appointments specifies that the established criteria of the selection board must take account of the provisions of the Employment Equality Act, 1977, and the code of practice of the Employment Equality Agency. The board must also ensure that the criteria do not lead to discrimination against any applicant on the grounds of gender or martial status.
The percentage of female applicants for posts of principals in primary schools who were successful in obtaining posts has increased in recent years. In 1995 the percentage of female applicants who were successful was 20 per cent whereas in 1998, 25 per cent were successful.
Gender balance in the inspectorate, both at recruitment and promotional grades, has been affected by the relatively small number of female inspectors recruited to the service prior to 1980. Five female inspectors were appointed to the primary inspectorate between 1980 and 1982. Three of these have been promoted to divisional inspector. In 1992 a further competition was held for primary district inspectors. Four inspectors were appointed from this competition between 1992 and 1994 of whom three were female. In 1998 12 inspectors were appointed to the primary inspectorate and five of those were female.
Prior to 1980, at second level there were relatively few female inspectors. These worked mainly in the areas of home economics and physical education. Since then a further six female inspectors were recruited as part of a small intake of inspectors over the next 15 years. Currently there is one female assistant chief inspector and two female senior inspectors. In the two most recent recruitment drives a total of seven female inspectors have taken up duty as part of an additional group of 14 inspectors.
