Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:122 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans he has to encourage the involvement of women in agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25479/03]
Written Answers. - Women in Agriculture.
In leading the development of Irish agriculture my objectives include the retention of the maximum number of farm families and ensuring that farming is an attractive career option for young people generally. Policies pursued by my Department are geared towards achieving these objectives.
With regard to the role of women in agriculture, I established an advisory committee, which reported in September 2000. The advisory committee's report contained 36 recommendations in total, covering a broad range of policy and operational areas, relating to 19 Departments and agencies. These areas were statistical evaluation of women farmers; employment and training; information technology; social inclusion; representation; and personal finance-legal issues. While recognising the contribution of women to Irish agriculture, it is clear from an analysis of the recommendations that the report's central concerns related to issues affecting women in rural communities generally.
The establishment of a national rural development forum, which meets in open session twice a year, provides a forum for continued attention to many of the issues raised in the advisory committee's report. It should also be noted that, subsequent to the publication of the report, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was established. In addition, elements of the report were incorporated into the National Plan for Women, published in 2002 by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Action was taken, in as far as practicable, on the recommendations in the advisory committee's report and my Department is currently preparing a report on progress across all the recommendations.