Government admits need to employ more women at senior levels of civil service

The Government has admitted there is a need to improve the level of employment of women in higher grades of the civil service after data showed their under-representation in better-paid positions.

Women make up a quarter of secretary general or deputy secretary general positions and a third of principal officer positions.

By contrast, women make up two-thirds of the lowest paid clerical officer positions, according to figures obtained by Independent TD Catherine Murphy in response to a parliamentary question.