Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 May 2006
25 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the recommendations of the Advisory Committee’s report on the role of women in agriculture which have to be implemented by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18873/06]
View answerThe Report of the Advisory Committee on the Role of Women in Agriculture was published in September 2000 and contained 36 recommendations in total, covering a very broad range of policy and operational areas relating to women in rural communities generally.
Notwithstanding that many of the Advisory Committee's recommendations were outside its remit, all of the recommendations were pursued by my Department and a comprehensive progress report on all of the recommendations relevant to government departments and agencies was finalised. This indicates that the recommendations have been fully taken into account by all the relevant Government Departments and agencies and provides evidence of the substantial progress achieved, in as far as was possible, across the broad range of issues raised by the Advisory Committee.
Specific action taken by my Department on foot of recommendations made by the Committee include:
•the provision of funding for the establishment of a Network of Women Farmers
•working group established to examine social insurance possibilities under various business models, recommended legal partnership as the best available method for financial recognition of both farm spouses
•rules amended in May 2002 under Early Retirement Scheme to afford the same treatment to applicants in joint ownership of land as those in sole ownership
•access to IT facilities for the public made available at selected Department Local Offices, with plans to extend the service
•Department's website redeveloped, taking account of Advisory Committee's recommendations
•funding provided to increase awareness and image of agriculture
•discussions continuing with Central Statistics Office and Teagasc to improve statistical data on women in agriculture
•changes made to entry procedures for employment of Technical Agriculture Officers.
A copy of the report on actions taken in response to the recommendations will be provided to the Deputy.
