Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
139. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline, in tabular form, both the number and the percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in each of the past ten years; if he will provide the most up-to-date figures available regarding the number and percentage of women and men on State boards under the aegis of his Department in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38864/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra140. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Taoiseach the steps he is taking to ensure that State boards have at least 40% of each gender, as provided for in the programme for Government; the percentage at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39160/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only State Agency under the aegis of my Department. The NESDO was established on 1 January, 2007 under the NESDO Act 2006 and is the body corporate for the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). Details of the gender balance on the NESDO Board since its establishment date on 1 January 2007, are set out in the following table.
|
Date |
Total Number of Members |
Female Members |
Male Members |
|
1 January 2007 |
5 |
2 (40%) |
3 (60%) |
|
1 January 2008 |
5 |
2 (40%) |
3 (60%) |
|
1 January 2009 |
5 |
2 (40%) |
3 (60%) |
|
1 January 2010 |
5 |
2 (40%) |
3 (60%) |
|
1 January 2011 |
2 |
0 (0%) |
2 (100%) |
|
1 January 2012 |
2 |
0 (0%) |
2 (100%) |
|
18 September 2012 |
2 |
0 (0%) |
2 (100%) |
It was not possible in the time available for to provide the gender breakdown in relation to appointments made to the NESC in each of the last 10 years and this information will be forwarded to the Deputy.
Although the National Statistics Board (NSB) is not classified as an agency under my aegis, I am providing the following for the information of the Deputy. Under the Statistics Act, 1993, the NSB comprises a Chairperson and seven Board members. Appointments to the NSB are made in line with the provisions of Section 18 of the Statistics Act 1993. My functions in relation to the NSB were delegated to the Government Chief Whip, Minister of State Paul Kehoe T.D., on the 22 March 2011. The following table provides a breakdown of the membership of the National Statistics Board by gender, for each of the last 10 years. These numbers are taken from the membership of the Board on the 1st of July of each year.
|
Date |
Male |
Female |
Total |
% Male |
% Female |
|
Current |
7 |
1 |
8 |
87.5% |
12.5% |
|
1st July 2011 |
7 |
1 |
8 |
87.5% |
12.5% |
|
1st July 2010 |
7 |
1 |
8 |
87.5% |
12.5% |
|
1st July 2009 |
6 |
2 |
8 |
75.0% |
25.0% |
|
1st July 2008 |
6 |
2 |
8 |
75.0% |
25.0% |
|
1st July 2007 |
6 |
2 |
8 |
75.0% |
25.0% |
|
1st July 2006 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
62.5% |
37.5% |
|
1st July 2005 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
62.5% |
37.5% |
|
1st July 2004 |
5 |
3 |
8 |
62.5% |
37.5% |
|
1st July 2003 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
50.0% |
50.0% |
|
1st July 2002 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
50.0% |
50.0% |
Since coming into office on 9 March 2011, I have made a small number of appointments to NESDO, NESC as set out in the following tables.
NESC Membership
|
Total Membership |
Female Membership |
Male Membership |
|
34 |
10 (29% of the Council) |
24 (71% of the Council) |
|
Number of Taoiseach's appointments since 9 March, 2011 |
Number of females appointed by the Taoiseach since 9 March, 2011 |
Number of males appointed by the Taoiseach since 9 March, 2011 |
|
14 |
4 (29% of the Council) |
10 (71% of the Council) |
NESDO Board Membership
|
Total Membership |
Female Membership |
Males Membership |
|
2 |
0 (0% of the NESDO Board) |
2 (100% of the NESDO Board) |
|
Number of Taoiseach's appointments since 9 March, 2011 |
Number of females appointed by the Taoiseach since 9 March, 2011 |
Number of males appointed by the Taoiseach since 9 March, 2011 |
|
2 |
0 (0% of the NESDO Board) |
2 (100% of the NESDO Board) |
These appointments were made in accordance with the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006 and S.I. No. 603 of 2010, National Economic and Social Council (Alteration of Composition) Order 2010.
In the case of the NESC, I appointed members on the basis of nominations from business and employer interests, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, farming and agricultural interests, the community and voluntary sector and the environmental sector. I also appointed Secretaries General on the basis of the Departments they represent and historically, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson posts are filled from my Department at Secretary General and Assistant Secretary level.
The 8 independent members of NESC I appointed in June and July last year were made following careful consideration of the necessary skills, knowledge and expertise relevant to the functions of the NESC and NESDO. The independent appointments to NESC are mainly from the academic sector. I appointed four women as independent members of the Council. In relation to the NSB there has been one appointment since I took office and the appointee is an Assistant Secretary in my Department.
