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

Question 550: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality 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. [22499/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Programme for Government 2011-2016 includes a commitment to ensure that all State Boards have at least 40 per cent of each gender. Composite data on women's participation on State Boards during 2010 will be made available to the Government shortly and are expected to show that about 34% of places on State Boards were held by women in 2010.

My colleague, Ms. Kathleen Lynch T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People is currently chairing a working group which is looking at the advancement of women into leadership and decision-making roles including on State and Corporate Boards. The report of that group will be available in the autumn and I will consider its findings before making proposals to Government in this matter.