Emer Higgins
Question:25. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the work to improve the diversity of State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45411/21]
View answerThursday, 23 September 2021
Questions (25, 38)
James Lawless
Question:38. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress being made to strengthen gender diversity on State boards across the public sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45688/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 38 together.
I am committed to ensuring that we continue to build diversity within our State boards. This will be both better reflective of modern Ireland and also ensure we draw on the widest diversity of talent for better governance of our State bodies.
In terms of gender diversity, on foot of the 2019 Inter-Departmental Group report on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion on State Boards, the Deputy may be aware that in September 2020 I published an Annex to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. The Annex deals with Gender Balance, Diversity and Inclusion. Provisions included in this Annex are specifically aimed at improving diversity on State boards such as reducing the board terms, and facilitating greater turnover of Board members.
In addition, the annual Chairperson's comprehensive report to the relevant Minister must set out progress being made in addressing gender equality and diversity issues; where the boards stands vis-à-vis the 40% gender balance requirements; measures being taken to address where the 40% requirements are not met and specifically measures being taken to address the situation where a board is either all male or all female.
Most importantly each board should carry out an annual self-assessment evaluation and this process should incorporate a detailed analysis and critical assessment of the gender, diversity and skills mix within the board, including where relevant a critical assessment of the reasons why gender balance in Board membership has not yet been achieved.
I am pleased to be able to report that there has been some progress in gender diversity on State Boards. An analysis carried out by my Department in June 2021 on 203 State Boards showed that there were 2,085 serving board members and the gender participation rates are 44.70% female (December 2018: 41.5%) and 55.34% male (December 2018: 58.50%), with 50.74% of Boards (December 2018: 47.6%) now meeting the 40% gender targets.
In terms of broader aspects of diversity on State Boards, since 2014 all appointments to State boards are managed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAS) and advertised on the website stateboards.ie. PAS have led on a number of activities to raise awareness about State boards, the process and who can apply, in order to increase the diversity of the boards. PAS regularly use social media and radio campaigns to promote individual campaigns and in order to reach a national audience and inform the general public about the process for appointment to State Boards. Information evenings have also been hosted in regional locations (Athlone, Cork, Galway, Dublin). I understand that PAS are considering further measures to broaden diversity and my Department will continue to engage with them on this important objective.
Question No. 26 answered with Question No. 15.