Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:190 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will outline Government policy on appointment to State boards in respect of gender equity. [12463/01]
Written Answers - State Appointments.
Guidelines in the form of a Government decision taken in March 1993 were issued to all Departments. The Government decided that Ministers should endeavour to have a minimum of 40% of both men and women among the chairs of boards of State bodies and among other persons nominated by Ministers to State bodies under their aegis. The Government further decided that all Ministers should advise bodies nominating persons to boards under their aegis of the Government's gender balance policy and ask them formally to follow a similar practice.
These guidelines were extended in March 1995 to include advisory committees, visiting committees, committees of a temporary nature etc.
Each Minister is responsible for implementation of the Government's gender balance policy in his/her own area.
Following the Government decision in March 1993, my Department undertook to monitor the position on a quarterly basis with a view to enhancing gender balance. Quarterly returns are submitted by each Department showing the gen der composition of the State boards under that Department's aegis.
The figures for membership of State boards on 31 December 2000 show that 28% of the total serving membership were women. This figure needs to be broken down between persons nominated by Ministers and those nominated by others. In the case of Ministerial nominees, 34% were women. In the case of nominees by other bodies, 21% were women. Women comprised 18% of chairs of boards.
I am anxious that more progress is made towards reaching the 40% target. My Department is reviewing the matter at present and I hope to be in a position to bring proposals to Cabinet shortly.