Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Gender Balance.

Seán Ryan

Question:

34 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Finance if he will give the percentage of women in his Department in 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. [18171/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The statistics for my Department in relation to the percentage of women serving at assistant principal and principal levels are as follows:

	AssistantPrincipal	Principal
1 February 1988 (using 1988 State Directory as source – the closest date for which the information is available)	17%	2%
30 June 1997 CENSUS figures	23%	2%
Update to 31 March 2000	24%	12%

Since June 1997, there has been a substantial improvement in the representation of women at principal level. As of 31 March 2000, there were six women principals in my Department, representing 12% of the officers in that grade. The percentage of women serving as assistant principal had also risen by 31 March 2000, to 24%. To facilitate the balancing of career and family commitments, the Department has granted job-sharing to all who have requested it at principal and assistant principal levels; as of 31 March 2000, there were four principals, three women and one man, and five assistant principals, all women, job-sharing.

In relation to family friendly initiatives, my Department is participating for the first time this year in a pilot scheme of term time working for summer 2000, which enables staff with young families or dependent relatives to be given unpaid leave for up to 13 weeks in the summer months. Eleven applications were received, two from assistant principals, both women, and all applications were granted.

The setting of further specific goals and targets is being considered in the context of this year's review of my Department's strategy statement.