HL Deb 07 July 2004 vol 663 cc80-1WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many equality officers are employed in each of the 10 Northern Ireland departments and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister; when each post was created; and what are the duties of these officers. [HL 3237]

Baroness Amos:

Since 1999 one official in each of the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland administration has been nominated as equality officer for their department and as such the primary point of contact in relation to their department's equality scheme. This role is often undertaken alongside their other duties.

The 11 nominated equality officers are supported in their range of duties by 43 officials in a variety of administrative grades.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the cost of the equality officer posts in each of the 10 Northern Ireland departments and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. [HL3238]

Baroness Amos:

The total salary cost for the 11 equality officers in the departments of the Northern Ireland administration is currently £681,290.

Departments of the Northern Ireland administration estimate that cost of the time spent in working on equality duties by the equality officers and the staff supporting them is £1,078,500.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will state the gender, age, ethnic origins and community background of the equality officers employed in the 10 Northern Ireland departments and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister and the part of Northern Ireland (if any) with which they regard themselves as being most closely associated. [HL3239]

Baroness Amos:

In line with Part 11 Paragraph 12 (Privacy of an individual) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it would be inappropriate to disclose this information.