Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 13: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will publish a gender audit of budget 2012 when he presents the budget proposals to Dáil Éireann in December 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27652/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy to be referring to a process whereby each element of revenue and expenditure contained within the Budget would be examined to assess its impacts on gender equality. As the Deputy is aware, the Government's primary focus at the moment, as regards budgetary matters, is on reducing the deficit further and returning sustainability to the public finances in the coming years. The focus of Government in this regard will be on taking decisions in a way that spreads the burden of the adjustment in a fair and equitable manner, while at the same time, seeking to minimise the negative impact on economic growth. There are no plans to publish a gender audit of Budget 2012. However, I would point out that the Programme for Government does contain a commitment to require all public bodies to take due note of equality and human rights in carrying out their functions. Furthermore, the Cabinet handbook requires a statement on the likely effects of the decision sought on gender equality to be included in Memoranda to Government. Consequently, Government does consider gender equality at an individual policy or programme level. I would also remind the Deputy that the State and its bodies take the provisions of equality legislation into account in the development and delivery of its policies and services.