Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 712: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will report on gender balance at each grade in her Department and in agencies that come under the aegis of her Department. [9844/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to implementing the Civil Service policy on equality of opportunity, including gender equality. This commitment is reflected in my Department's Human Resource Strategy, which sets out specific actions for implementing equality measures in a proactive and progressive manner. The table identifies the gender balance for each grade in my Department.

There are seven statutory bodies under the aegis of my Department: An Bord Bia; Coford; Coillte; Irish National Stud; National Milk Agency, Teagasc and Veterinary Council. There are currently a total of 87 persons serving on the Boards of these bodies (including Chairpersons), of which 17 are women. I do not have full discretion in relation to appointments to some boards since some appointments are made on the basis of nominations by relevant organisations, in accordance with legislation. While appointments to the boards are made on the basis of technical competence and experience, it is my aim to achieve a reasonable gender balance in this regard.

The appointment of staff to the agencies is an organisational matter for the agencies themselves.