Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she is taking to ensure that State boards have at least 40% of each gender, as provided for in the Programme for Government; the percentage at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39148/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.

Apart from the Ombudsman for Children's Office which does not have a board, I am responsible for all Board of Management appointments. In making my decisions on appointments to Boards, subject to the governing legislation, I consider the most suitable persons for the positions available with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities and I seek to ensure that the appropriate mix of skills and experience is in place to achieve the best result. I have set out in tabular format below the current status of State boards under my remit and the percentage of participation of women and men in each one.