merrion street

• Recent increase means 40% target has been surpassed
• Minister Flanagan vows to do more

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, has today announced the latest figures for female appointments to State boards. According to data for July 2018, women constitute 40.6% of all appointees to State boards. Women also account for 27.1% of all chairs of State boards. The percentages have increased by 0.7% since December 2017.

Minister Flanagan said:

“More women than ever before are members of State boards. The target that at least 40% of all State board positions must be held by women has now been reached. 1,051 State board positions are now held by women. What is more, 27% of all chairs of State boards are now women.

Minister Flanagan added:

“I am pleased to report that the trend is going healthily in the right direction. 44.3% of those appointed or re-appointed to State boards between January and July 2018 were women. Women were chosen for 178 positions. These figures prove that concerted action to prioritise female leadership will achieve strong results. The Government is prioritising action to promote women’s leadership across a range of sectors.”

The Minister concluded:

“I plan to report to Government in September on the progress that has been made on this issue. I hope that today’s figures will convince women to consider applying for positions on State boards. We need the talent of women as well as men at the disposal of public sector organisations to equip them for the challenges of a fast-changing world.”