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Appointments to State Boards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (996)

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

996. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Communications; Energy and Natural Resources 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. [39149/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will no doubt appreciate it is also a key concern of mine to ensure high quality representation on Boards irrespective of gender. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to seeking to attain the 40% target for both genders on Boards.

The Deputy will also appreciate that in making appointments to boards I must have regard to the provisions of the governing legislation as regards members’ qualifications and other related matters.

The Government adopted a significant innovation in 2011 to widen access by all persons to be considered for appointment to Boards by providing that expressions of interest be sought publicly from all those that might be interested in serving on such Boards.

I wish to advise the Deputy that on the 3rd of June 2011 I invited Expressions of Interest from persons wishing to be considered for appointment to vacancies on State Boards under the aegis of my Department, which were expected to occur up to the end of 2011. On 9th February 2012 I invited further expressions of interest from persons wishing to serve on any of the Boards under the aegis of my Department.

Notwithstanding this significant innovation, the level of expressions of interest from women has been less than half that of men. Of the 31 applications made in 2011 on foot of the invitation to submit expressions of interest, 10 were from women and 21 from men. In 2012 the total number of applicants was 37 of which 8 were from women and 29 from men.

The Table shows the percentage breakdown of men and women serving on boards having regard to the sectors covered by my Department.

Sector

No. of Men

No. of Women

% Men

% Women

Broadcasting

17

16

52%

48%

Communications

22

5

81%

19%

Energy

49

19

72%

28%

Natural Resources

27

7

79%

21%

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