Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
132. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the damage to the reputation of the National University of Ireland by recent high profile discrimination against female academic staff and applicants at the National University of Ireland Galway, if she will back the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union's call for an independent equality review. [25700/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have previously expressed my concerns regarding the very serious shortcomings identified by the Equality Tribunal in the case brought by Dr Sheehy-Skeffington against NUI Galway.
However, the response of NUI Galway in unreservedly accepting the ruling of the Tribunal and in establishing a Task Force to address related issues is to be welcomed. I have repeatedly stated my view that having the broadest possible support for the Task Force is central to its important work and I continue to urge NUIG to ensure that every effort is made to achieve that goal.
I understand the Task Force has already made a number of recommendations to the Governing Authority of NUIG, including:
- the creation of a new post of vice-president of equality and diversity, reporting to the President and responsible for developing gender equality policies, career development paths for women and identifying "gender champions",
- ensuring all management bodies, promotions committees and interview boards comprise a minimum of 40 per cent women,
- the review of all promotion and progression procedures by an external expert by the end of October, and
- the roll out of compulsory "unconscious bias" training.
I am sure the Deputy will agree that these are important preliminary recommendation and I understand the Governing Authority has accepted them in their entirety. I now expect the Governing Authority to implement these, and any further recommendations of the Task Force, as a matter of urgency.
