THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM to have a 40% gender balance on State boards has been met by more than half of boards under the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
The Programme for Government sets out a desired goal of 40% gender balances on all State boards. Before the Dáil broke, the new Arts Minister Heather Humphries outlined how her department is doing, with over half achieving the 40% mark.
However, some are below 30%.
Humphries pointed out that the government does not appoint all members to these boards.
“I am pleased to inform the [house] that 9 of the 17 bodies funded from my Department’s Vote Group that currently have boards in place have already reached that target.
“It may be noted that, in a number of these boards, certain appointments are made other than by way of Government or Ministerial appointment.
“For example, appointments may be on foot of nominations by other bodies, or by way of elections, or on an ex officio basis. Clearly, such circumstances can have an influence on the gender balance of the boards in question.”
Humphries added that she was committed to gender equality.
“I support the promotion of gender equality as an instrument for economic growth, prosperity and competitiveness and am fully committed to further promoting gender equality across all of the bodies and agencies funded from my Department’s Vote Group.”
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