Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on whether his Department has a role in taking action to address gender gaps in participation in certain industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12070/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Gender gaps in participation in certain sectors or occupations reflect, to a certain extent, the different roles that men and women have traditionally played in society. This has resulted in the situation where, for example, women are over-represented in caring roles, such as teaching and nursing, while men continue to dominate in science, engineering and technology. This is a complex issue involving several factors including gender stereotyping in education which influences the career choices made by women and men.

This is a cross-cutting issue involving several Departments such as the Department of Education and Science, which, through the school system, encourages an increased uptake of courses in the science and mathematics fields by girls; and the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform, under its equality for women measure, supports a number of projects aimed at increasing the number of women in science, engineering and technology.

I recently announced an initiative being undertaken by Science Foundation Ireland aimed at boosting the number of women scientists in Ireland and addressing the gender imbalance in the research community. While women are well represented at undergraduate and postgraduate level in most scientific and technological disciplines in Ireland, a greater equilibrium is required in the workplace. Under the SFI initiative, women who have left careers in science, engineering and technology will be encouraged to return to their professions.

FÁS has a policy of promoting and encouraging the entry of women into apprenticeships. It offers a bursary to private and public sector employers who recruit female apprentices under the apprenticeship system in the currently designated trades. FÁS is also in the process of developing a range of new apprenticeships in areas that are more attractive to women.

In addition, for women and men who wish to enter non-traditional sectors, there is legislative support, under the Employment Equality Act 1998, which outlaws discrimination in employment on nine grounds, including gender.