Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

90 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence the percentage of women in his Department for each of the years 1987 and 1997 at assistant principal level; principal officer level; the specific strategic objectives that have been set for his Department to increase the number of women working at higher levels; the goals that have been set for his Department in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17478/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The percentage of women in my Department at principal officer and at assistant principal officer levels for each of the years 1987 and 1997 is as follows:

	Principal Officers	Assistant Principal Officers
1987	0%	8%
1997	9%	22%

Equality of opportunity is actively promoted in my Department. Selection for all promotions to the grades of higher executive officer, assistant principal and principal officer in my Department is by competitive interview and all eligible officers are encouraged to put themselves forward for promotion.

My Department provides generous resources in the area of staff training and development, thereby enabling staff to fulfil their full potential. My Department supports the work of the high level gender equality management group in the development of a strategic approach to achieving equality of opportunity in the Civil Service. My Department is fully committed to this approach and the adoption of strategic equality objectives will be incorporated in the Department's revised strategy statement.