Pat Rabbitte
Question:2 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the average industrial wage for men and women, on the latest date for which figures are available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Average Weekly Industrial Earnings.
The average gross weekly earnings of industrial workers on adult rates of pay in manufacturing industries for mid-June 1992, the latest period for which these data are available, are as follows:
|
(a) Men (on adult rates) |
£278.57 |
|
(b) Women (on adult rates) |
£170.33 |
These figures include overtime, regular bonuses and service pay, shift and other allowances and relate to an average number of hours worked per week of:
|
Hours |
|
|
(a) Men (on adult rates) |
42.4 |
|
(b) Women (on adult rates) |
37.1 |
Notwithstanding the discrepancy in hours worked, would the Taoiseach not agree that the gap between the average industrial earnings of women and men is alarming and that although almost 20 years have passed since the enactment of the anti-pay discrimination legislation this is a clear indication that that legislation has failed?
The Deputy's question was essentially statistical and matters of policy ought not, therefore, arise.
The Minister was offering——
——a statistical reply.
If the Minister of State wishes to intervene, far be it from me to prevent him.
The average rate per hour is £6.57 for males and £4.59 for females. The Deputy is not comparing like with like in relation to types of work and so on.
From a statistical point of view, is it not the case that if the Minister examined the position obtaining ten years ago, or in 1974 when the legislation was introduced, he would note that minimal progress has been made since then in narrowing the gap between the hourly or weekly pay of women and men?
We are entering into the area of policy.
I would like to establish if the statistical proportion is roughly the same now as it was when anti-pay discrimination legislation was introduced in 1974.
The Deputy should pursue that aspect of the matter by way of another question. We are now proceeding to deal with questions to the Minister for Equality and Law Reform.
According to the Minister's reply, there was a gap of £2 per hour between the pay of men and women at June 1992. Will he indicate the gap in the hourly rate in 1974?
I cannot indicate that, but the Deputy may either put down a question on that matter or have me communicate directly with him.
With respect, this is an important matter for more than 50 per cent of our population. Having established that the gap is virtually as wide now as it was in 1974, is it the Minister's intention to introduce legislation to tackle the problem?
Again, that is a separate matter.
The Minister for Equality and Law Reform will be answering questions later and he might answer that one.
It is a matter for the Labour Party.
I am sure if the matter is left in the hands of my constituency colleague, it will be addressed.
The questions we are about to embark on are Priority Questions for which 20 minutes only are provided under Standing Orders.