Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 490: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government 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. [22503/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government 2011-2016 includes a commitment to take steps to ensure that all State Boards have at least 40 per cent of each gender. My Department routinely reviews the gender balance of State boards under its auspices and returns are made to the Department of Justice and Equality which has a coordinating role in this regard. The most recent returns by my Department show that at the end of 2010, the gender balance on State boards under the aegis of my Department stood at 37 per cent female and 63 per cent male. My Department is currently seeking expressions of interest for appointments to a number of State boards, and due regard will be had to Government policy on gender balance in making these appointments.