The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has called on all Irish universities to publish an action plan being taken to address continuing issues of serious gender inequality at college level.

IFUT Deputy General Secretary, Joan Donegan, said that following a report on the matter, issued earlier this year by former EU Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, there is a need for proactive engagement by university management on the issue.

“Progress is being made, but in an unbalanced manner. University College Cork has initiated a three year action plan and recently became the third Irish university, after Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick, to receive an international Athena Swan Award, which recognises academic institutions commitment to gender equality,” Joan Donegan said.

“Other universities must step up to the plate. There is a need to both ensure that progress is maintained and to introduce new measures aimed at achieving equality. A clear action plan in every university is required.”

“In this context bodies such as the Labour Court and Workplace Relations Commission may require additional resources to deal with recommendations arising from the Geoghegan-Quinn report.

“Sufficiently robust monitoring and implementation procedures must also be put in place to ensure that potential foot dragging on what is a very positive set of measures to finally address gender discrimination in universities is finally and successfully addressed.

“The Department of Education has an important role to play in this regard.” Joan Donegan said.

ENDS

For further information on this media release please contact:

John Gallagher

John Gallagher Consulting

Tel. 087 9369888