Mary Coughlan
Ceist:155 Ms Coughlan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the follow-up action to be taken on the recent report, Women in Agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23391/00]
Written Answers. - Women in Agriculture.
The Report of the Advisory Committee on the Role of Women in Agriculture was launched on 27 September 2000.
The report contains 36 recommendations, covering a broad area which includes education and training, information technology and social inclusion. Some 18 of these recommendations have been identified as falling within the remit of my Department. The recommendations are being examined individually and appropriate action will be taken in the shortest possible time.
I am also corresponding with my other colleagues in Government with regard to the recommendations of the report which relate to the activities of their Departments. I would anticipate that they too will have these recommendations examined as a matter of urgency.
I would add that my Department has in fact already commenced the implementation of a number of these recommendations. Funding has been allocated to organisations to assist in promoting the role of women in agriculture and in improving the image of farming as a career and lifestyle, and it is envisaged that the establishment of a network of women in farming, funded under the national mainstream rural development programme, will also encourage more women to play an active role in the decision-making process in rural and agricultural life.