Thomas Byrne
Ceist:99. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if legislation will be needed to implement gender equity measures in the third level sector. [21832/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 17 May 2018
Ceisteanna (99)
Freagraí scríofa
Higher Education institutions in Ireland are covered by the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2011, which outlaw discrimination on gender grounds. In addition, under the Universities Act 1997 and the Institute of Technology Acts, higher education institutions are responsible for promoting equality, including gender equality, within their institutions.
The HEA’s National Review of Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education Institutions highlighted the importance of achieving gender equality in higher education institutions as a “means to maximise their pursuit of excellence and successfully meet the many social, economic and cultural challenges of the future”. The Gender Equality Taskforce, which was appointed in November 2017, is overseeing a national systems review of the recruitment and promotion policies and practices currently in place in higher education institutions, with a view to identifying good practice and highlighting areas that need improvement. Their report is expected shortly.