Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 313: To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22520/11]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Appointments to the boards of bodies accountable to my Department are made in accordance with the legislation under which the body was established. The relevant legislative provisions vary from body to body. For example, in certain cases the legislation provides for the appointment of persons nominated by specified stakeholders, such as professional or representative bodies. This can sometimes have a limiting effect on the scope to address gender imbalances. In other cases there may be no such provisions.

Appointments are also made based on the expertise and experience of individuals, the balance of skills and attributes in terms of the overall composition of the board, the gender balance of the board and the availability and commitment of people to serve on the board. Achieving greater gender balance on State boards remains a key objective as part of the overall goal of getting the best people serving on our State boards.

To this end, I recently launched a public campaign inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons for appointment to the boards of several agencies coming under the aegis of my Department. The purpose of the campaign was to broaden the pool of suitable candidates for consideration for appointment to boards. I also made it clear that in considering applications I would have due regard to Government policy on gender balance on State boards.