Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014
137. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is satisfied with the number of women currently serving on State boards under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10018/14]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to take steps to ensure that all State Boards have at least 40% of each gender. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that eight of the fifteen bodies funded from the Department's Vote Group that currently have boards in place have already reached that target. It may be noted that, in a number of these boards, certain appointments are made other than by way of Government or Ministerial appointment. For example, appointments may be on foot of nominations by other bodies, or by way of elections, or on an ex officio basis. Clearly, such circumstances can have an influence on the gender balance of the boards in question.
I can assure the Deputy that I support the promotion of gender equality as an instrument for economic growth, prosperity and competitiveness and am fully committed to further promoting gender equality across all of the bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group.
