Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 6

Other Questions. - Human Resource Strategy.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

8 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he will give the percentage of women working in his Department in 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. [17767/00]

Mr. Walsh

The percentages requested by the Deputy are set out in the following schedule:

	1987	1997	2000
	Male/Female	Male/Female	Male/Female
Principal	96/4	87.5/12.5	84/16
AssistantPrincipal	72/28	70/30	69/31

Targets have been set by the Government in this area and these will be pursued through the Department's human resources strategy. I have figures which I will make available to the Deputy and I will make available to him any additional information the Deputy wishes.

Mr. Penrose

The Minister will be aware of research conducted by Peter Humphreys, Eileen Drew and Candy Murphy aimed at developing better gender equality to counter the challenge of persistent inequality ascertained in the research. Will he agree that it showed minimal progress towards a balance of men and women in grades above HEO level in the past decade? It indicates that more work needs to be done to support people to combine work and family responsibilities. Is the Department setting clear targets based on its strategy statement to increase the level of participation to ensure the number of women at assistant principal level, which rose by only 1% in the decade 1987-97, will increase substantially in the next decade?

Mr. Walsh

I agree with the Deputy that the figures show that a tremendous amount of progress has yet to be made. For example out of 84 at principal officer level, only 16 are women. I would like if the number could be more balanced. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development intends to comply fully with the new gender equality policy for the Civil Service. Targets have been set to have at least one-third of posts at assistant principal level filled by females within five years. It is hoped to make better progress than that. There will be positive action such as a programme of affirmative recruitment, placement and training to ensure an adequate and appropriate gender balance in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and throughout the Civil Service.

Mr. Ring

In relation to actual committees of which the Minister and his Ministers of State have control I note that in March 2000 the Food Agency Council was entirely male. I also—

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy is quoting. That is not in order at Question Time.

Mr. Ring

In respect of the advisory committee on the role of women, has its report been published? Will the Minister provide in written form, a list of the committees under his aegis to which he can make appointments and the number of women on those committees? This will show how serious he is about gender balance.

An Ceann Comhairle

The question is about public servants. As that is a separate question perhaps the Deputy will put it down for answer on the next occasion.

Mr. Ring

I will do it before that.