asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he has noted the views of the ITGWU on the Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1985 (details supplied) and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare (Amendment) Act, 1985.
27.
This Act provides for the implementation of EC Directive 79/7/EEC on equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security. The Act was passed by the Oireachtas in July 1985. The views referred to were made available prior to the discussion of the proposed legislation by Dáil Éireann and were fully taken into account at that time.
Section 24 of the Act states that it will come into operation on a date to be fixed by ministerial order. As is generally known, the delay in implementing the Act is due to the fact that the trade union which has the highest staff membership in the Department has taken the view that the implementation of the Act cannot go ahead until such time as certain staffing issues have been resolved. Discussions are actively under way on this matter at the present time and it is the intention to begin implementing the Act as soon as these difficulties have been resolved.