Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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152. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the policy on gender equality in the Civil Service first published in 2001 has been reviewed; if a fundamental review to assess its effectiveness will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11173/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Under Action 8 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan, a wide range of initiatives to improve gender balance across the Civil Service have been developed and are being implemented within Departments and Offices.

The Civil Service Management Board (CSMB), which comprises of the Secretaries General in Departments, has also identified a range of actions aimed at improving gender balance at senior levels of the Civil Service. The CSMB also monitors actions across departments and offices aimed at increasing the number of women in senior positions.  They have asked all Departments to consider a range of actions including:

-Training for Management Boards in unconscious bias;

- Development supports such as mentoring;

- Gender balance as a stated business priority;

- Leadership training courses to encompass gender focussed knowledge and supports; and

- Assigning responsibility for Gender and Diversity to a member of the Management Board

A Study of gender in senior civil service positions in Ireland was published in December 2017 by the ESRI. Following the publication of the report, the CSMB initiated a number of key actions centrally which are aimed at improving the representation of women at senior level these include: 

-Develop actions to support women on maternity leave to remain connected and to be supported on return to progress their career;

- Explore flexible working arrangements to facilitate staff at senior levels; and

- Explore the feasibility of introducing job-sharing at senior levels for particular posts.

Significant progress has been made relation to gender equality in senior Civil Service positions over the past twenty years as can be seen from the figures in the following table.

Female civil servants at management level 1997 – 2019:

The CSMB will continue to monitor progress on gender equality. The leadership of the Civil Service are committed to improving the participation of women and particularly at the most senior levels.

Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the policy on diversity in the Civil Service first published in 2002 has been reviewed; if a fundamental review to assess its effectiveness will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11174/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Civil Service is strongly committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices. Our commitment is demonstrated and documented with key actions in the People Strategy, Our Public Service and the Public Appointments Service Corporate Strategic Plan.

- Civil Service People Strategy 2017-2020; The Civil Service People Strategy action to review and revise the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Policy is an ongoing action and the review stage is still underway.

- Our Public Service Action 16; The Civil Service is currently participating with the wider public service on OPS Action 16,  to ‘Promote equality, diversity and inclusion’ which will provide some key insights in revising our Civil Service policy.

- Public Appointments Service Corporate Strategic Plan; The Public Appointments Service is also actively committed to ensuring there is a focus on attracting a diverse range of talented people to take up employment opportunities across roles in the civil and public service. The Public Appointments Service has also set up a Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee with internal and external expertise including members from the Civil and Public service and outside experts in diversity and inclusion.