Vol. 521 No. 2
143 Ms M. McGennis asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will implement the recommendation of the working group which reviewed issues underlining access by women to the labour market, with specific reference to women returners to the labour force who have been primarily engaged in domestic and caring duties in the home. [16900/00]
The report of the Partnership 2000 working group on women's access to labour market opportunities was published on 13 April last. The group was chaired by my Department and comprised representatives from a wide range of organisations representing the social partners and from Departments and State agencies. A total of 45 recommendations were put forward in the group's report which looked at ways of increasing gender equity in access to employment, education and training programmes and improving job opportunities for women. Under the terms of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, all the recommendations will be progressed without delay, particularly with a view to enhancing the employability and skills of women returning to the labour force.
Progress has already been made in implementing some of the recommendations. As announced in the budget, periods spent in receipt of my Department's carer's allowance will now be taken into account in satisfying the condition requiring a minimum period on the live register in order to qualify for the back to education allowance. Furthermore, since July 1999, community employment has been extended to additional categories of disadvantaged persons, including qualified adults of unemployed people as recommended in the report.
