Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on his plans for improving gender equality. [12862/23]
View answerThursday, 30 March 2023
Questions (12)
Written answers
Significant advances have been made in recent years to address inequality in Irish society, with the Government’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equal society re-affirmed through the Programme for Government commitments to achieve social solidarity, equality of opportunity and economic equity for all.
My Department leads on cross-government policy to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2021 has provided us with a whole-of-Government framework through which women’s empowerment continues to be advanced. While initially due to conclude in 2020, the Strategy was extended in recognition of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its implementation.
The Programme for Government includes a range of commitments in regard to advancing gender equality. These include a commitment to developing a successor to the Strategy and planning is currently underway. My Department has commissioned a study to evaluate the processes for implementation of three equality strategies, including the National Strategy for Women and Girls. Work on this study is at an advanced stage and it is expected to be published in the coming months. I will publish this study once it has been completed, and work to build the new Strategy will take place thereafter.
The Government also committed in the Programme for Government to responding to the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on gender equality and, informed by its work, to consider whether there should be a referendum on Article 41.2 of the Constitution. That work is underway following the announcement by the Taoiseach and myself on 8 March that policy proposals would be developed on wording on such a referendum. The new Strategy will respond to the other recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly. In the interim, the principles and priorities of the Strategy will continue to guide my Department’s work to advance equality in these areas.
Current priorities include progressing the Work Life Balance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 before the Oireachtas and, once enacted, drafting regulations to give effect to its provisions, including in regard to the introduction of domestic violence leave and advancing the provision of maternity leave to Oireachtas members.
Also included in the Programme for Government are commitments to legislate to require publication of the gender pay gap in large companies, which was met in 2022 and followed by the publication in December 2022 of the first gender pay gap reports by employers with over 250 employees. The commitment to expand the Equality Budgeting Programme across government departments and agencies is also being met, led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in partnership with my Department.