asked the Minister for Social Welfare if unemployed married women who are entitled to benefit are paid benefit for a shorter period than their male counterparts; and, if so, if he intends taking steps to rectify the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unemployed Married Women.
21.
Married women who are living with or who are wholly or mainly maintained by their husbands, are paid unemployment benefit for a maximum of 156 days as compared with a maximum of 390 days for married men. Married women living apart and unable to obtain any financial assistance from their husbands can receive benefit for the same duration as men as also can wives whose husbands are incapable of self-support and who are being maintained by them.
As I indicated in reply to recent questions regarding the relative entitlements of men and women under the social welfare code, the Government are committed to working towards the elimination of discrimination against women in the field of social security. I have also stated that this must be achieved in a phased and orderly fashion because of the considerable expenditure and the degree of administrative planning involved and also because of the significant changes which will have to be made in social welfare legislation.
As a first step in implementing this policy, the special provisions which apply to single women and widows for receipt of unemployment assistance will, as announced in the Budget Statement, be removed with effect from 1 October. It is the Government's intention to continue this process and to deal with the remaining discriminatory features at the appropriate times.
I presume the Minister's attitude of some five minutes ago has not changed. Can the Minister say whether this unequal treatment of married women out at work as opposed to anybody else out at work would meet with the approval of the EEC Commission in so far as equal treatment of all workers is concerned?
Certainly it would not. In fact, there is a directive in the course of preparation from the EEC dealing with this matter.
Is the Minister suggesting that a married woman who had been given unequal benefit to that of her counterpart who was unemployed should take action through the courts which might bring about a change in legislation quicker than might occur otherwise?
I would not recommend it. The process is under way and——
The Minister was inclined to recommend that sort of thing when in Opposition.
No, bitter experience taught me never to recommend anybody to go to the law. I give the House that advice gratuitously.
The Official Reports of Dáil proceedings last year make very interesting reading.