Trade Unions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023

Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Questions (460)

Mick Barry

Question:

460. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will be supporting a campaign (details supplied) launched by a number of trade unions for improved workplace supports concerning menstruation and the menopause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49800/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Government is committed to ensuring that workplaces consider the reality of employees’ lives and recognises that menopause is a key health issue for women. The work of the Women’s Health Taskforce, which was convened in September 2019 by the Minister for Health, has been very important in driving progress in this area. The need for more awareness within the workplace of the impact of the symptoms of menopause and menstruation is also acknowledged in the Government's Healthy Workplace Framework, which aims to promote changes in the culture, policies and practices in workplaces in order to lead to improvements in physical and mental health and wellbeing and work-life balance.

My Department is commissioning research with a view to providing a range of advice to employers to better support employees suffering from either menstrual symptoms or going through menopause. It will focus on understanding the factors in terms of working conditions that can affect employees whose menstrual or menopause symptoms limit their daily activities. It will also look at effective support mechanisms that employers have put in place, whether formal or informal and at workplace support mechanisms in place in other countries that have been recognised as good practice and that may be suitable for trial in Ireland.

The project aims to integrate the experiences of a diverse range of employees as much as possible, including disabled and LGBTI+ employees. It is planned that this study will begin early next year and the research will inform the development of Government policy in this area, including guidance for employers, so we can continue to improve the work life balance for all.