AQW 48451/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 04/09/2015
Answered On Date: 03/12/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail the steps being taken to implement the recommendations outlined in the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s January 2014 report Under-Representation and Lack of Diversity in Public Appointments in Northern Ireland.

Answer:

The recommendations in the Commissioner for Public Appointment’s 2014 report on diversity were analysed at the time, and many have since been implemented. The cross-departmental Public Appointments Forum has adopted a role in addressing issues of diversity and under-representation. An external academic member has been appointed to provide a challenge function. The NI Statistical and Research Agency has provided analysis of under-representation and multiple appointments. NISRA and the Forum have developed a new monitoring form for applicants which will permit a more refined analysis in future of candidates’ backgrounds and success rates at different stages of the appointment process.

Since March 2015, all public appointment vacancies across government are now advertised on NI Direct, the official website for government services, which will permit consistency in disseminating knowledge of appointment opportunities to a wider audience. The appointment plan for each public appointment competition now includes a section on diversity, which is approved by the relevant Minister. Outreach measures have been undertaken, including greater use of welcoming statements and liaison with key stakeholders across the range of under-represented sectors, in order to encourage a wider spectrum of applications.

It is our intention to bring more of the Commissioner’s recommendations, notably on public policy on diversity and on measurable goals, for future Executive agreement.