asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if it is Government policy to encourage female participation in employment and other economic activity.
9.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment of Women.
8.
asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if it is Government policy to phase out all discrimination against women including married women in economic matters including taxes and tax allowances.
10.
asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if he will give figures indicating the number of married working women; the projected number of married working women by 1986; and the respective percentages of the total workforce these numbers represent.
11.
asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development the estimated average earnings of married women at work.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions No. 8, 9, 10 and 11 together. The provision of employment for all persons, male or female, who are seeking work is one of the Government's top priorities. The Deputy will be familiar with the special measures being taken by the Government in the area of job creation. It is clear that in the implementation of these measures the Government are in no way restricting employment opportunities for women.
In so far as there may be discrimination against women in economic matters, it would be the Government's intention to take steps to eliminate such discrimination as quickly as possible. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the budget's generous tax concessions which benefit married couples especially.
According to the EEC Labour Force Survey conducted in May/June 1975 some 74,900 married women were at work at that time. This represented 7.2 per cent of the total number at work. A reliable projection for the number of married women in the work force for a period as far ahead as 1986 could not be prepared until more up-to-date information is available. An official projection will be prepared when the results of the 1979 limited census and associated labour force survey are available. No official figures are available for the average earnings of married women at work.
The Minister will be aware that in reply to an earlier question by me, the Minister for Economic Planning and Development said that the participation rate of Irish women was less than half that of European women. Given that fact, does the Minister expect that the level of participation by Irish women will go up to 14.4 per cent, double 7.2 per cent, and has that been taken into account in employment projection needs?
I could not anticipate what the percentage participation of women would be, other than to give the reasonable guess that there will be an increase. This trend is definitely there but it would not be possible for me on the information available to give an accurate projection of what the percentage might be in a few years' time.
The Minister said that there was no way of knowing the average earnings of married women. Could he say what was the basis for his colleague's remarks at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis describing women who want equal rights as "well-heeled and articulate"? Does he agree with his colleague?
That is a separate question.
It arises in regard to the earnings of married women.
Anything could arise out of it but it must be relative to the question and answer.
As you probably know, you did rule out part of the question. I wanted to find out the average earnings of women. The Minister does not know. What was the basis for his colleague's description of married women at work as "well-heeled and articulate"?
There are no official figures available for the average earnings of married women at work.