Vol. 428 No. 5
230 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education if she has satisfied herself that a proper gender balance exists in all the regional technical colleges; and if she will give a breakdown on staff by gender for each of the regional technical colleges in the country.
While figures for individual Colleges are not readily available the total number of women in full-time academic posts in the Regional Technical Colleges and the Dublin Institute of Technology is 349, or about 17 per cent. Recent figures for eligible part-time teachers show that just over 50 per cent are women.
I am fully committed to promoting improved gender balance in all areas within my remit.
Recent measures which have been put in place by my Department will facilitate further improvement in the representation of women at all levels in these Colleges. In this regard I draw the Deputy's attention to the recently enacted legislation for this sector, the Regional Technical Colleges Act, 1992 and the Dublin Institute of Technology Act, 1992, both make specific reference (Section 7 (5)) to the attainment of gender equity. Gender balance has also been sought in the case of nominees to the Governing Bodies.
Finally, accepting of course that all appointments have to be made on their own merits, by Selection Boards, it has nevertheless been stipulated by my Department that both sexes should be represented on Staff Selection Boards
