Frances Fitzgerald
Question:10 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Taoiseach if the Government intends to honour, in Ireland, the United Nations resolution of 1985 that women's unwaged work should be included in every country's GNP.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - GNP Estimates.
EC Directive 89/130 specifies that the GNP estimates of EC member states must be compiled in accordance with the rules of the European System of Integrated Economic Accounts (ESA). According to these rules, the value of own-account production of services, including unwaged work, should be excluded from GNP. This treatment is consistent with the recommendations of the United Nations System of National Accounts.
I note the Minister stated that it is consistent with the United Nations System of National Accounts, but we agreed a UN Resolution in 1985 at the Nairobi Conference to document unwaged work. That resolution called on all Governments to measure women's unwaged work and claimed that, if they did not, there would be huge consequences given the amount of unwaged work carried out by women and their low participation in the economy. This is particularly true in the case of Ireland. Will the Minister consider compiling a comprehensive report and examining how we could measure the contribution of women's unremunerated work?
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the OECD is studying methods of evaluation own-account household services. Consensus has not been reached yet regarding the best approach, but I can assure the Deputy that Irish experts are participating in the discussions. Following those discussions we will take the necessary action.
I welcome that, but will this not arise when we deal with the legislation in relation to joint ownership of the family home? We have a commitment that women's contributions in the home will be measured in that regard. Will the Minister say what work has been done nearer home in regard to measuring this work?
I am not aware of the work that has been done in that area except the study which is taking place in the OECD.
Will the Minister of State agree that it is open to the Irish Government to propose to the European Community a change in the statistics which are used in measuring GNP and GDP? Would he be willing to consider a proposal which would allow the unwaged work of women in the home or, indeed, male or female spouses in the home, to be included in the GNP? Will he agree that it is within his power to make such a proposal?
I accept it is within our power to make such a proposal but, having regard to the current study being carried out, it would be better if we could reach an agreed system in the OECD countries. While nobody wishes to downgrade or devalue the work of anybody in the home, the Deputy will appreciate that including the own-account householder services in GNP would have serious implications and could start figures that would be required in others. It is not a simple, staighforward matter.
Two sets of parallel figures could be produced, one including them and the other not.
That is possible, but the compilation of those figures would involve a great deal of manpower.
The questions we are about to embark on are Priority Questions. We should not forget the time factor involved in dealing with them — 20 minutes only.