Vol. 530 No. 6
71 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Finance when it is expected that the proposed gender equality policy initiative aimed at increasing the number of women in higher level jobs within the Civil Service will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4657/01]
A new gender equality policy for the Civil Service has been developed by a high level gender equality management group, with representatives drawn from a number of Departments and chaired by Ms Josephine Feehily, Revenue Commissioner. It sets out a new strategic approach to equality of opportunity and forms part of the integrated human resource management policy for the Civil Service.
The aim of the new policy is to ensure gender equality in all the human resource practices and procedures in the civil service, as well as addressing the need to increase the overall representation of women at senior management levels and to meet the target set by the Government that one third of assistant principal posts be filled by women by 2005.
The new policy commits the civil service to distinct gender equality objectives in relation to the main human resource policy areas of recruitment, placement and mobility, training and staff development, promotion, and other work and family issues. A fundamental aspect of the policy is the adoption of strategic objectives, including specific targets, at the level of individual Department or office. The achievement of gender equality and, in particular, the achievement of the targets, will be supported by the development of a programme of affirmative action in the main human resource policy areas.
The new policy was approved in principle by the Government in June 2000. Detailed discussions are under way currently with the unions on the text of the policy and on its detailed implementation by Departments. As the discussions are continuing I am not in a position to give definite dates for the final introduction of the policy. However, I can assure the Deputy that all the parties involved in the discussions are working to complete the talks as soon as possible, so that we can move quickly to the implementation of the policy.
