WOMEN MAKE UP 44% of assistant principals in the civil service, but just 20% of those in the top jobs.

Figures released to the Dáil last week show that of the 3,433 assistant principals in government departments, 1,518 are women. However, as the seniority of the role increases, the percentage of women declines.

Women make up:

• 36% of all principal grades (452 from 1,250)
• 27% of all assistant secretaries (60 of 215)
• 22% of all deputy secretaries (4 of 18)
• 33% of all second secretaries (1 of 3)
• 20% of all general secretaries (6 of 24)

Speaking to the Dáil, Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin said that the aim was to achieve gender balance in public sector jobs. It has been civil service police since 2001.

“Recently, the Department of Justice and Equality, with the assistance of funding from the EU’s PROGRESS programme and supported by my Department, has launched a pilot mentoring and leadership development programme to increase the number of women in the top decision-making levels of the civil service.

“Notwithstanding the progress which has been made in increasing the participation of women in the work force, there remains a clear need to continue to increase female participation at senior levels in the civil service.”

- First published 15.15

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