Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 March 2022
319. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she is taking to identify and address gender pay disparity in her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17365/22]
View answerIn the Department of Social Protection, females comprise 68% of all staff. The Civil Service average is 58%.
Employees at each grade are on Civil Service pay scales which are paid at the same rate for males and females. In the Department, while there are a greater number of senior roles from Principal and above held by men, there is significant female representation on the Management Board and at Principal Officer level at just over 42% for each. Females represent 48% of staff at Assistant Principal level.
The Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 has introduced the legislative basis for gender pay gap reporting in Ireland. Regulations under the Act will be published in the coming weeks by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This reporting requirement will help to ensure pay transparency exists in organisations and will play an important role in achieving gender equality in the workplace.
In preparation for the gender pay gap reporting requirement, the Department's HR Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, established in 2020, has been involved with a cross-departmental Gender Pay Gap Working Group and this group has met a number of times over the past year. In addition, a Gender Balance survey issued to all DSP staff in March 2022 in order to identify any potential causes for lower female representation at more senior levels and to provide an evidence base for any mitigating actions required.
The Citizens Information Board applies public sector pay scales at each grade to all employees. The Pensions Authority adheres to Civil Service pay circulars and abides by all equality reporting as a matter of course.
