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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 1986

Vol. 364 No. 2

Written Answers. - Equal Treatment Measures.

29.

asked the Minister for Social Welfare if she will make a statement on the latest position on negotiations with staff unions concerning staffing constraints affecting the implementation of social welfare equal treatment legislation; when the initial phase of implementation, which does not require additional staffing, will be implemented; when the full legislation will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

I am glad to be able to tell the Deputy that agreement has been reached with the staff union in question to implement, on a phased basis from mid-May next the equal treatment measures which are not dependent on additional staffing. The initial phase will abolish the reduced rates of benefit for married women and will extend the duration of payment of unemployment benefit to married women from the present 312 days to 390 days.

The question of implementing the remaining provisions is dependent on additional staff being allocated, the devising of new work procedures and the training of staff in those procedures. These problems must be resolved before a date can be fixed for implementing the remaining phases.

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