Vol. 431 No. 6
21 Ms. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to introduce positive action programmes in the Civil Service and public service to promote equality of opportunity and mobility for women at all grades.
As Minister for Equality and Law Reform I am deeply concerned to see progress in this area. I am examining the feasibility of more aggressive implementation of equal opportunities programmes. In this regard the recently published Fifth Annual Report on the Implementation of the Equal Opportunity Policy and Guidelines for the Civil Service is to be welcomed. As this report is the work of a joint management/union Subcommittee of General Council — the central conciliation council for the Civil Service — it ensures that equal opportunities issues in the Civil Service remain high on the agenda of both management and unions.
My Department is undertaking a survey to establish baseline data and monitor progress in local authorities, health boards and State-sponsored bodies. I expect that this survey will provide a basis for those organisations to plan relevant programmes of positive action.
The Deputy will be aware also of the decision by the Government to ensure that, in future appointments to the boards of State companies, the gender balance of the board will be a major factor to be taken into consideration. We have set a target which over a four-year period will ensure that at least 40 per cent of their directors will be women.
