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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 15 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 5

Written Answers. - Equality of Opportunity.

Brendan Kenneally

Ceist:

25 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for the Environment if he has satisfied himself that progress has been made to ensure gender balance in the filling of management positions in local authorities. [6865/97]

Better Local Government — A Programme for Change acknowledges that there is a clear gender imbalance in the management levels in the local authority service, notwithstanding the fact that local authorities have adopted equal opportunity policies and that some progress has been made in recent years.

A number of measures are now proposed to further promote equality of opportunity in the local authority service. Guidelines on the introduction of active equality policies and programmes in each local authority are nearing completion, and I expect to issue them to local authorities very shortly. A special development programme is also to be established for women managers. Other matters related to promotion of equality of opportunity are being developed by the local government management services board, with the input of the local authority personnel officers' network. The Local Appointments Commission has already made considerable strides in ensuring that there is increasing participation by women in its interview boards. Local authorities are being asked to place considerably greater emphasis on this important aspect of recruitment policy too.

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