I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.
Apart from the Ombudsman for Children's Office which does not have a board, I am responsible for all Board of Management appointments. In making my decisions on appointments to Boards, subject to the governing legislation, I consider the most suitable persons for the positions available with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities and I seek to ensure that the appropriate mix of skills and experience is in place to achieve the best result.
The Deputy should note that this Department was established on 2nd June, 2011 and therefore I am not in a position to provide information in respect of my Department over the last ten years and could not compile such without a disproportionate use of my Department’s staff resources. I have however set out in tabular format below the current status of the State boards under my remit and the percentage of participation of women and men in each one.
|
Name of Board
|
Current State Board Membership
|
Men % of total
|
Women % of total
|
|
National Educational Welfare Board
|
13
|
6 (46%)
|
7 (54%)
|
|
Family Support Agency
|
11
|
2 (18%)
|
9 (82%)
|
|
Adoption Authority of Ireland
|
6
|
1 (17%)
|
5 (83%)
|
|
Children Detention Schools
|
11
|
7 (64%)
|
4 (36%)
|
