Civil Service Equal Opportunities Unit Report published

The Equal Opportunities Unit in the Department of Finance and Personnel has issued figures on the composition of the Northern Ireland Civil Service at 1 January 2007.

The data is contained in a supplement to the eighth report by the Equal Opportunities Unit which was issued in May 2003. The Unit plans to issue its ninth report this summer.

Commenting on the report, the Minister for Finance and Personnel, Rt Hon Peter Robinson MP, MLA said today: “The supplement to the eighth Equal Opportunities Unit report demonstrates the Northern Ireland Civil Service’s continuing commitment to equal opportunities and to making information freely available to all.

"In future these reports will be published on an annual basis and we are presently reviewing their content, layout and presentation in order to make the information they contain easier to read. The first of these new style reports, the ninth report, should be available by the summer.

"It is the stated aim of the Civil Service to be representative of the community it serves. The Service will continue to work hard to promote itself as an employer committed to equality of opportunity and I would urge community and political leaders to play their part by encouraging citizens to recognise it as a public sector career of choice.”

The supplement contains tables showing the composition of the Northern Ireland Civil Service. Over the five-year period from 2002 to 2007 female representation in the workforce increased from 49.2% to 50.4%. Over the same period the Roman Catholic representation increased from 42.5% to 45.6%.

The supplement is available online on the Department of Finance and Personnel’s website .

Notes to Editors:

1. This is a supplement to the last report by the Equal Opportunities Unit (the 8th Report) and contains statistics on the composition of the Northern Ireland Civil Service at 1 January 2007.
2. The first report was published in July 1986 and since then reports have been published on a regular basis. The reports of the Equal Opportunities Unit are not statutory publications however they are seen as being an important demonstration of the Northern Ireland Civil Service’s commitment to equality of opportunity and to making information freely available. It is hoped to publish the ninth report by summer 2008.
3. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7644 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.