Monica Barnes
Ceist:5 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Labour whether his intended amendments to the Employment Equality Act, 1977, will give legislative impetus to positive action.
Written Answers. - Employment Equality Act.
There is legislative provision for certain forms of positive action under the Employment Equality Act, 1977. The most specific form of positive action is contained in the enabling provision at section 15 of the Act.
The aim of this form of positive action is to stimulate employers to encourage women to apply for work in which they have been underrepresented and, in such circumstances, to help them to qualify on merit for appointment and promotion. It enables employers to make special provision for one sex only in a number of ways.
In the context of my review of employment equality legislation, I am examining the extent to which a more comprehensive provision is required, particularly to protect employers who wish to provide special facilities or promote a better balance of the sexes, from claims by men seeking similar treatment.