Vol. 476 No. 3
45 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Finance the nominating bodies to each board under the aegis of his Department; the number of seats to which each of these bodies nominate; and the guidelines or instructions given to nominating bodies to assist in achieving gender balance in line with Government policy. [6976/97]
All the members of the board of the Central Bank, with the exception of the Governor, are appointed by the Minister for Finance. The Governor, who is an ex-officio member of the board, is appointed by the Government.
All the members of the board of An Post National Lottery Company are appointed by the Minister for Finance. Four of the appointees are nominees of An Post and three are nominees of the Minister. Five of the nine members of the board of ACC Bank plc are nominated by the Minister for Finance and the remaining four are elected by the shareholders. Five of the nine members of the board of ICC Bank plc are nominated by the Minister for Finance and the remaining four are elected by the shareholders. All seven members of the National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee are appointed by the Minister for Finance.
46 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Finance the mechanisms used by his Department to ensure that policies, programmes and decisions are proofed to assess their impact on women; the training available to those officials responsible for gender proofing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7008/97]
While no training is provided specifically with regard to gender proofing, I am satisfied that, in the development of policies, programmes and decisions in my Department, sufficient account is taken of their impact on women.
47 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Finance the initiatives, if any, taken by his Department in 1995 and 1996 which were targeted at women; the budget allocated to each initiative; the actual amount spent on each; the budget for his Department in each of the years 1995 and 1996; and the amount of that budget exclusive of direct staffing and overhead costs. [7024/97]
The human resources development services side of the centre for management, organisation and development within my Department is involved in facilitating a women managers' network. The network runs training events and seminars on issues of concern to women at middle and senior levels in the Civil Service such as managing job-sharing, assertiveness, making links with other women's networks, influencing skills, equality and the Strategic Management Initiative and gender and power in organisations. These events address women managers' training demands as articulated by the members and attract new members to each event. In 1997, the network, which has been in existence for a number of years, will continue to develop its role in the facilitation of the development and training of women managers in the Civil Service.
Because this network is one of a series facilitated by the centre for management, organisation and development, there is no specific budget allocated to it. While the amount of money spent on the network is relatively modest it has proven to be a most effective forum in which issues of specific concern to women in the Civil Service are promoted and addressed. There is a continuing and increasing interest in the work of the network and my Department will continue to actively participate in its activities.
