Bernard Allen
Ceist:184 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the reason there is only one woman accident/emergency consultant.
Written Answers. - Gender Balance in Consultant Appointments.
The latest consultant manpower survey carried out by Comhairle na nOspidéal on 1 January 1994 indicates that there are a total of 12 accident and emergency permanent posts in the public health services 1 (8 per cent) of which is filled by a woman. Of the overall total of permanent consultant posts, 1065, some 172 (16 per cent) are filled by women.
While this represents some progress in achieving a more equitable male/female ratio in overall consultant appointments, it is apparent that more progress needs to be made in particular specialities if this goal is to be achieved.
The role of my Department in securing such progress is in monitoring adherence to equal opportunities legislation in relation to recruitment and selection procedures and in encouraging the professional bodies and employers to ensure that any perceived obstacles to progress are removed. I am also cognisant of the recommendations of the report of the Second Commission on the Status of Women in relation to improving the rate of participation of women at senior management level, including consultant level, in the health services. An advisory committee on women's health which has been established in my Department and the collaborative study group which is examining the distribution of medical manpower in acute hospitals is giving consideration to this matter.