asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will state in respect of his own Department and each semi-State body for which he is responsible, whether the appointment of equality officers has been made; and, if not, when such appointments may be made.
Written Answers. - Appointment of Equality Officers.
572.
There is no semi-State body under the aegis of my Department. As far as the Civil Service is concerned, matters relating to equality of opportunity are being discussed jointly with staff interests under the normal negotiating machinery.
A specially designated equality officer has not been appointed in my Department but equality issues are, of course, dealt with as part of the personnel function.
573.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will state in respect of his own Department and each semi-State body for which he is responsible, whether the appointment of equality officers has been made; and, if not, when such appointments may be made.
In absence of a specific post of equality officer in my Department arrangements have been made for an officer in the personnel division to take responsibility for implementing equal opportunity initiatives. None of the other bodies under my control is considered sufficiently large to warrant the appointment of a full time equality officer but appropriate responsibility is being or has been assigned to a specified officer in each body.