The Government's Programme for National Recovery 2011-2016 reaffirms the Government target that all State Boards shall have at least 40% representation of each gender. The gender balance on State Boards is monitored by my Department for progress towards this target. In April 2011, the Government approved a transparency proposal to allow future vacancies on State Boards to be advertised on relevant Department websites, as well as directing attention to Government policy on gender balance on State boards.
The percentage of women on the State Boards under the aegis of my Department was 38.1 per cent at the end of 2013 which is up from 36.5% at the end of 2012. My Department will continue to take steps to ensure and improve gender balance on relevant State Boards.