asked the Minister for Social Welfare the areas of discrimination against women in the field of social welfare; and the steps she is taking to rectify the situation.
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Code Discrimination.
491.
The areas in which discrimination against women exist in the social welfare code are in relation to the entitlements of married women. A lower rate of unemployment benefit, disability benefit, invalidity pension and occupational injuries benefit is payable to married women, other than married women who are living apart from and not being supported by their husbands, than to other beneficiaries. A further discrimination in the case of the unemployment benefit scheme is that the duration of the payment of benefit to such married women is limited to 312 days as against 390 days generally. In the case of unemployment assistance the conditions under which married women can qualify are more restrictive than those applied to other categories. In relation to all benefits the conditions under which married women may qualify for increases in respect of dependants are different from those applying to other claimants.
An EEC directive adopted by the Council of Ministers on 19 December 1978 provides for the progressive implementation of the principle of equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security. In accordance with the terms of the directive all of the foregoing discrimination must be eliminated before the end of 1984.
An interdepartmental working party, set up to examine the practical problems that would arise in applying the principle of equal treatment, has furnished a report and I expect to be in a position to submit proposals in the matter to the Government at an early date.