Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
1347 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if mechanisms exist to ensure that interview boards established under the auspices of her Department and which comprise two or more persons are gender balanced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22370/04]
View answerIt is the policy of my Department to ensure that procedures and practices in the areas of recruitment, selection and promotion are in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service policies on gender equality and equality of opportunity.
My Department's gender equality action plan 2003-05, based on the Civil Service gender equality policy, confirms its commitment to compliance with the policy. In relation to interview boards, the policy on gender equality states that there should be a gender mix on boards and my Department complies with this requirement. This includes meeting the requirements on the composition of interview boards and, in addition, ensuring that interview board members are aware of their responsibilities under equality policies and equality legislation generally.
