Written Answers Nos. 95-99
95. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will arrange to expedite the removal of the telecommunications mast at the Old Finglas Garda Station, Dublin, in view of the fact that this is holding up the adaption of this building for a childcare facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22015/13]
View answerTetra Ireland Limited was granted a licence in 2008 for the installation of telecommunications equipment on the mast at the former Garda Station in Finglas. The licence facilitated the roll-out of Digital Radio for An Garda Síochána and other Emergency Services. The licence agreement requires 12 months notice by the Commissioners of Public Works to Tetra Ireland Limited to terminate the licence. A Termination Notice issued to Tetra Ireland Limited in accordance with their licence and it expires on the 30 June 2013. The mast will be removed as soon as possible thereafter.
96. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will look favourably on a business plan which proposes that a community use be established for the Garda Barracks in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21905/13]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is assessing the management issues arising in respect of all the recently closed Garda Stations including Beaufort. The office is engaged in determining alternate State use, potential disposal and addressing temporary constraints relating to some individual properties. Community involvement subject to the receipt of an appropriate social or community case which identifies the Business Case and the competence to insure, maintain and manage the State property for the duration of the licence. The OPW will consider the proposal from Beaufort Community Council in the context of the above and will contact the community group in the near future.
97. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the steps he has taken to ensure that all State boards have at least 40% of each gender [21969/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, in 2011 the Government introduced new arrangements for the appointment of State board members. Under the new arrangements, Departments now invite expressions of interest from the public in vacancies on the boards of bodies under their aegis on their websites. It is open to all members of the public regardless of gender, political affiliations or geographically location to apply for appointment to these vacancies. I am satisfied that the new arrangements introduced by the Government in 2011 have significantly improved transparency in the making of appointments to State Boards compared with the making of appointments in previous years. Since the formation of this Government 16 members have been nominated to State Boards, 25% of which being female. In view of the statutory procedures for the appointment of members of the Civil Service Arbitration Board and the Public Appointments Service, there is limited scope for me to take a factor such as gender into account when I make such appointments. I would like to make it clear that it is my intention in the limited number of appointments I have to make to increase the number of women appointees over the lifetime of the Government.
98. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage of principal officers within the civil service that are women. [21971/13]
View answer99. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage of assistant principal officers within the civil service that are women. [21972/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.
Based on data reported by Departments for the end of April 2013, some 34% of principal officers and 41% of assistant principal officers employed on a whole-time equivalent basis are women.
