asked the Minister for Labour if he will state, with reference to that portion of the Taoiseach's speech to the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis last year which referred to the commitment to eradicate all forms of legislative discrimination against women, whether he is satisfied with progress in this respect; if he will outline where progress has been made, indicating the legislative reform in that respect since then; and if he will outline his proposals for the immediate future.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Discrimination Against Women.
25.
The report of the Commission on the Status of Women published in December 1972 identified the areas of legislative discrimination which existed against women in our society.
Of the 75 recommendations made by the commission, the most significant progress has been made in the employment field. The major outstanding recommendation relates to paid maternity leave. This is receiving urgent attention at the present time. It is intended to have a scheme of paid maternity leave in operation in April 1981. I am also taking steps to establish a representative working party to examine the position of child care services and facilities for working parents.
There are, of course, other issues of vital concern to women, mainly in the area of family law. The reform of the law on criminal conversation and related torts is under active consideration by the Minister for Justice.
As regards social welfare, this is being dealt with in the context of the commission's report and the EEC Directive on the progressive implementation of equal treatment of men and women workers in the matter of social security. As already announced by the Minister for Social Welfare, the directive will be fully implemented within the time scale laid down, that is, by December 1984.
Has the Minister answered the part of the question which asked him to indicate the legislative reform since the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis? What legislation has been put through the House since the Ard-Fheis in regard to this matter?
Approximately 75 recommendations were made by the commission and about 41 of them have been implemented. A number of them have been partly implemented and others are in the course of being implemented.
Will the Minister state the laws passed by the House in respect of discrimination against women since the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis? Will the Minister enumerate the laws? If he did so in the course of his reply, I did not catch it.
The major recommendation relates to paid maternity leave. That is receiving urgent attention and will be implemented by April 1981.
It is not yet in effect.
It is not, but it will be implemented by April 1981.
Has any legislation in this area been put through the House since the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis?
No. No Bill has been passed but quite a number of Bills are in the course of preparation.
Question No. 26 is for written reply.