I understand the Deputy's question refers to appointments to relevant bodies comprising people from outside the Civil Service. Since July 1997, I have appointed 75 such people to statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department, that is, the Pensions Board, the Combat Poverty Agency, Comhairle and the Social Welfare Tribunal. Of these 32 – 43% – were women and 43 – 57% – were men. In addition, some 190 people were nominated to nine working groups or committees. Of these, 85 – 45% – were women and 105 – 55% were men. A detailed gender breakdown for all such appointments is contained in the following tabular statement.
The current membership of such bodies comprises 161 people of whom 69 – 43% – are women and 92 – 57% – are men. This is in line with established Government policy for a minimum representation – 40% – of men and women on State boards.